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Cooper s 



HISTORIES 



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GREECE AND ROME, 



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SOUTH AND NORTH AMERICA, 



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PUBLISHED BY JOSEPH AVERY, 

And for sale at his Bookstore in Plymouth, MassacfeuSelU 



1808, 

BSt.CHER AND AR«STS0HC| PRINTERS. 






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PREFACE 



BY THE EDITOR. 



To speak particularly of the merits of the little 
volumes, comprised in this book would be unnecessary. 
The public have already expressed their opinion of them 
by the several editions which have been called for. 

The English edition, from which this work was copied, is 
embellished with copperplate cuts ; it was thought best 
here to omit these, excepting the one used for the Fron- 
tispiece, to reduce the price of the volume which would 
otherwise have been considerably augmented. Cuts badly 
executed, as were those in the American editions of the 
histories of South and North America, were judged inex- 
pedient. 

The author of the work, being an Englishman, will ap- 
pear, perhaps to some not to have expressed himself, in 
certain instances, with sufficient respect for the American 
character and achievements in the late glorious revolution, 
which terminated in the independence of our country. 

But it must be evident to every one, upon the bare inspec- 
tion of the plate, which is here selected for a Frontispiece, that 
it would never have been admitted into Mr. Cooper's history 
of Narth America, had he entertained sentiments unfriendly 
to our cause» Nay the cut itself which is the Temple of 
Liberty, with the portraits of the illustrious Washington and 
Franklin and the insignia of American greatness and glory 
displayed in front is calculated, as it must the eye of the 
youthful reader to excite in his breast patriotic emotions. 

The preface of the particular histories have been pre- 
served ; and no alterations have been made in any part of the 
work except of a few typographical errors. 



iv PREFACE. 

With respect to the execution of the work the present edr. 
itor and publisher hopes that it will be such as to meet the 
approbation of his subscribers, and of literary institutions for 
youth by whom an elementary treatise of this kind is much 
needed. He regrets, that it was not in his power to render 
this volume more eligible for the purpose than it is by the 
insertion of the kistories of Gaul and England by the same 
author. 

THE EDITOR, 

Plymouth. Afirily^ 1 S08, 



CONTENTS 

OF THE HISTORY OF GREECE. 

CHAP. I. 

A view of the earliest State of Greece— The Laws oi Lycurgus-^ 
The death of that great Legislator - - - Page IS 

II- 

The Atheniafis appoint Bmco their Law-maker— He is succeeded 
by Solon — Salamai^ taken— The Sevoi Wise Men—Th.Q Areopagus 
and Council o^ Four Hmdred — Pisistratus usurps the Government 
of Athens— 'the Death of .?o/an . - - - 'Page 18 

in. 

Character of Jmf/(/e^ and Themistocksr — Rattle of Marathon — SiJi- 
gular Bravery of Cynd<erus — The Persians make an efiectual At-^ 
tempt to surprize Athens — Honours paid to Mittiades — Death of 
that brave General — Piety of his Son Cf7Jio/i - - Pape 21 

IV. 

S'trxes sets out for the Conquest of Greece — His Vanity and Pre- 
sumption — His immense Army—Builds a Bridge across the 
Hellespont — Lands in Europe and marches into Greece— The 
Lacedemonians wait for him at the Straits of Therinopyl£ — Noble 
Death of JLeonidas and his followers — "hie Greeks gitin an ad- 
vantage over the Persian Fleet — Athens taken and demolished— 
Battle of Salaviais — Xerxes retreats disgracefully from Greece 

V. Page 25 

Mardoniiis, the Persian General defeated and killed — ^The Persians 
finally quit Greece — Character of Aristides — A terrible Plague 
breaks out at Athens — Character of Pericles — He changes the 
Government of Athens into a kind of Monarchy — Death of Per- 
ides — Character of Alcibiades — His Death — Character oi So' 
crater — His speech against the Accusations of ikfm^u*— Death 
o£ Socrates — Veneration paid to his Memory - - Page 31 

VI. 

Agesilaus chosen King of Sparta — Defeats the Persians— Sparta 
takes the lead of Athens — The Thebans take the lead of the 
Spartans — Character of Epimino?idas — Battle of Leuctra — Cele- 
brated Battle of Mantinea — Death of Bpiminondas Page 41 

VII. 

First rise of Macedonia from Obscurity— PAj/ip institutes the Mace- 
donian Phalanx— The Birth and Education of Alexander— Philip 
looses one of his Eyes-— Demosthefies warns the Athenian of theiu 
Danger — Singular instance of Ingratitude — Alexander saves the 
Life of his Father PA//i/&— Battle of Cha^rofiea—BemostheJies flies 
from the Field of Battle— Death of PA//i> - - Page 47 

VIIL 

Alexander succeeds his Father Philip— Takes the city of Thebes, 
and plunders it — Appointed Qeneralissimo against ihePersiaris-^- ■ 
lands ia Asia without opposition— Battle on Ui§ bank« oftfi*:- 



vi CONTENTS. 

Grannicus — Takes several Places— Cuts^ the Gordian Knot-^ 
Magnificence and Pomp of the Ar:ny of Darius - Page 55 

IX. 

Darius defeated at the Battle of Issus — His Mother, Wife, and 
Children, taken Prisoners — Alexander treats them with great 
Honour and Generosity — Abdalonynws made King of the Sido- 
nians-^TYiQ City of Tyre taken by storm - - Page 60 

X. 

Alexander refuses Overtures of Peace made by Darius — Alexander's 
cruelty at Gaza — Death of Statira^ Darius^s Queen — Battle of 
Arbela — Alexander enters Babylon, and then Persepolis — Death of 
Darius ----.--. Page 64» 

XL 

* Alexander pursues his Conquests — Abandons himself to Sensuali- 
ty — Puts some of his old Friends to Death — Kill Clytus — Is ex- 
posed to great Danger of his Life in India — Sets out on his Re- 
turn to Babylon — His Death - - - - Page 6T 

XIL 

From the Death oi Alexander , to the Extinction of the Grecian State© 
by the Ottomans Page 71 

ChronologicalTableof the principal Occurrences and events dur- 
ing the Existence of the ^reaan. States - » Page 77 



COI^TENTS TO THE HISTORY OF ROME. 

CHAP. I. 
f 

r ROM the Foundation of Rome, to the end of the regal Govern^ 
ment -------- Page 81 

From the Commencement of the Consular State to the Year of 

Rome 331 Page 84 

III. 
From the Year of Rome 331 to the first Punic or Carthaginian War 

IV. Page 86 

From the Commencement of the first Punic War to the end of the 

second ...-..„. Page 90 

V. 
From the second Punic War to the Destruction of Carthage 

VI. , Page 96 

From the Destruction of Carthage to the Year of Rome 650 

Vil. Page 101 

From the Year of Rome 650 to the perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla 

VIII. Page 106 

From the perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla to the Birth of Augustus 

Caesar - • Page 112 

IX. 
From the Birth of Augustus Caesar to the beginning of the first 
Triumvirate - Page 11? 



CONTENTS. vii 

X. 
From the Commencement of the Triumvirate to the Year of Rome 
706 -.»--. . . = Page 121 

XL 
From the year of Rome 70S to the Death of Julius Caesar. Page 126 

XII 
From the Death of Julius Csesar to the end of the Commonwealth 

Page 134 



CONTENTS TO THE HISTORY OF SOUTH AMERICA. 

CHAP. I. 

Origin of navigation— Introduction of commerce — Rude state of 
navigation among the ancients— State of navigation and com- 
merce among the Egyptians, Phenicians, Jews, Carthaginians^ 
Greeks, and Romans — Discoveries of the ancients by land- 
Commerce preserved in the Eastern empire — Revival of com- 
merce and navigation in Europe — The invention of the mariner's 
compass — First regular plan of discovery— The Portuguese 
double Cape Non — Discovery of Porto Santo— Of Madeira — 
The Portuguese double Cape Bojador, and advance within the 
tropics — The Cape de Verd Islands and the Azores discover- 
ed — The Portuguese cross the line — They discover the Cape 
of Good Hope - - = = = - - Page 149 

11. 

Birth and education of Columbus— He enters Into the service of 
the Portuguese — -He forms the idea of a new course to India- 
Proposes his plan to Henry VIII. of England. His treaty with 
Spain — He sets sail — Occtirrences during the Voyage — Land 
discovered— First interview with the natives — Columbus as- 
sumes the title of admiral and viceroy — Discovers Cuba and 
Hispaniola — ^Loses one of his ships — His distresses— Resolves 
to return to Europe — Arrives in Spain, and receives the highest 
marks of honour — He sails on his second voyage — Builds the 
town of Isabella — Discovers the island of Jamaica — The Indians 
take arms against the Spaniards — Columbus defeats them — 
Returns to Spain — He sails a third time— He discovers Trini- 
dad—Troubles at St. Domingo— The Portuguese sail to the 
East Indies by the way of the Cape of Good Hope— The name 
of America given to the New World — The Portuguese dis- 
cover Brazil. Columbus sent in chains to Spain. Is there set 
at liberty. Sails a fourth time on discoveries. Is wrecked on 
the coast of Jamaica. Death of Columbus - Page 158^ 

III. 

State of the colony in Hispaniola. New discoveries and settle- 
ments, Diego Columbus appointed governor of Hispaniola, 
New discoyeries mad^. Attempts raad« W s^ttl? on the cor»- 



r-iii. 



CONTENTS. 



tinent. Discovery of Florida. Discoveries of Balboa. He eh* 
ters the South Sea, jtnd returns. Pedrarias Davilla appointed 
governor of Dariea. His l^ad conduct. Balboa publickly exe- 
cuted, throug-h the treachery and intrigues of Pedrarias, Fur= 
ther attempts at discovery. Thc^tate of Hispaniola under Doir 
Diej^o Columbus Death of Ferdinand, and accession of Charles 
the Fifth. New discoveries made towards the West. Discov- 
ery of Yucatan. Are attacked by the Indians.; and defeat them. 
The Spaniards quit that place. Arrive at Campeachy. Meet 
with a defeat, and are forced to return to Cuba. Voyage of 
Juan de Grijalva. He discovers New Spain. Touches at Ta- 
basco, and then at Guaxaca. liands on the isle of Sacrifices, 
and then touches at St. Juan de Ulua Page 169 

IV. 
Vast extent of the New World- Its prodigious mountains, rivers 
and lakes. Tempewiture of th© climate. Its original rude 
state. Its animals, insects and reptiles. Birds. Soi>l. How 
was America first peopled ? Character and condition of the 
original Americans The bodily constitution of the South A= 
merjeans. Their complexion. Appetites. None of them de = 
formed- State of their health and diseases. Power and quali- 
ties of their minds. Domestic union. The condition of the 
American women. Parental affection and filial duty. Mode- 
of subsistence. Fishing, hunting, and agriculture. The Amer- 
icans divided into small communities. Had no notion of prop- 
erty. Tiieir method of carrying on war. Their dress and or- 
naments. Habitations. Their arms. Domestic utensils and 
cookery. Their canoes. Ideas of religion. Their physicians.' 
Their favourite amusements. Destroy the ag^ed and incurable. 
Their general character Page 179- 

V, . 
Velasquez makes preparations for the invasion of New Spain. 
Ferdinando Cortes undertakes the command of that expedition. 
His forces. Cortes sets sail with his little armament. Arrives 
in Mexico. Rich presents sent fi*om Montezuma to Cortes; 
Character of Montezuma Cortes resigns his commission, and 
is chosen by his officers and followers chief justice and captain 
general of the new colony. He proceeds to Zirnpoalla. From 
thence to Quiabislan. Builds a town there, and forms alliances 
Cortes destroys his own fieet. Advances into the country 
Concludes a peace with the Hascalans. Sets out for Mexico. 
The Spaniards astonished at the distant view of that city. First 
interview between Cortes and Montezuma Dangerous situa- 
tion of the Spaniards in Mexico. Montezuma seized and car- 
ried to the Spanish quarters. Mont zuma's son, and five of 
Iris officers burnt alive by order of Cortes. The Mexican mon- 
arch acknowledges himself to be a vassidof the king of Castile. 
A new Spanish armament arrives at Mexico, fitted out by Ve- 
lasquez to destroy Cortes. Cortes attacks Narvaez in the 
night, defeats Uis forces, and takes him prisoner. The greatjer^ 



CONTElsfTS, I ' ix 

part of the Spanish prisoners enter Into the service of Cortes* 
The Mexicans take up arms ag'ainst the Spaniards. Montezuma 
slain by his own people. Cortes abandons the city of Mexico. 
The Mexicans defeat him. Is reduced almost to famine. The 
battle oPOtumba. Cortes receives considerable reinforcements. 
Builds and launches several brigantines. The brigantines de- 
feat the Mexican canoes on the lake. Attacks the city of Mex- 
ico, Cortes defeated and wounded, forty of his men taken and' 
sacrificed. Cortes again attacks the city, and takes the em- 
peror prisoner. The Spaniards much disappointed in their 
expectations of riches. Cruel treatment of th« emperor. — ■ 
Province of Mexico subdued by the Spaniards. The straits of 
Magellan discovered. Death of Magellan. Cortes appointed 
captain -general and governor of New Spain. Sets out for the 
court of Castile. His reception. Returns to New Spain, and 
discovers California. Death of Cortes - - Page 190 

VI. 
First attempts to discover Peru unsuccessful, Pizarro, Almagro, 
and Luque undertake that business. Pizarro sets sail for Pa- 
nama on his first expedition. Experiences great hardships. 
Discovers Peru. The Spaniards are surprised at the riches 
and fertility of that country. Returns to Panama. Pizarro is 
sent to Spain. Appointed captain-general, &,c. of the new dis- 
coveries. Pizarro sails on another expedition, and lands in 
Peru. Commences hostilities. Limits of the Peruvian em- 
pire. A civil war in Peru. Pizarro turns that circumstance 
to his advantage. State of his forces. Arrives at Caxamalca. 
Treacherously seizes the Inca. Massacre of the Peruvians. 
Almagro arrives with reinforcements. The immense ransom 
of the Peruvian Inca. The Inca put to death. Pizarro leaves; 
Caxamalca, and marches to Cuzco. He takes possession of that 
capital, and seizes on immense treasures. Pizarro sets out for 
Spain, His reception there. Returns to Peru Settles differ- 
ences there with Almagro. Pizarro builds Lima. Almagro 
marches towards Chili. An insurrection in Peru. Tlie Peru- 
vians besiege Cuzco. Engage Almagro, and are defeated. 
Civil war among tjie Spaniards. Almagro defeated, triedj 
condemned, and executed. Progress of the Spanish arms. 
Chili conquered. Treachery and ingratitude of Orellana. Mis- 
erable condition of the followers of Pizarro. Francisco Pizarro 
murdered in his Palace. Almagro proclaimed governor of the 
city Vaco de Castro arrives at Qiiito, ai^d assumes the name 
of governor. Disputes between him and Almagro. The em- 
peror reforms the government of his American dominions.— 
Sends over a viceroy, who is killed in battle. Pedro de la Gas- 
ca sent out as president of Peru. Gonzalo Pizarro assumes the 
government, opposes Gasca, is defeated, tried, and put to death. 
Qasca sets out for Spain. His reception there ?age SO:!- 



X CONTENTS. 

, CONCLUSION. 

Political institutions and national manners of the Mexicans and 
Peruvians. Origin of the Mexican monarchy. The city of 
Mexico, when founded. Splendour and power of their mon- 
archs. Their wars. Funeral rites. Agriculture. Temples, 
and other public buildings. Religion of the Mexicans. Peru- 
vian antiquity doubtful. Absolute power of their Incas. The 
silver mines of Potosi. The Peruvian wars conducted with hu- 
manity. Their improved state of agriculture. Taste in their 
buildings. The Peruvians an un warlike spirit - Page 213 



CONTENTS OF THE HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA.- 

CHAP. I. 

•L/ESCRIPTION of the persons, manners, and customs of ^e 
original inhabitants of North America. Their dre.«=s, educa- 
tion, and employments. Their hospitality and resentments* 
liiberty the darling passion of the original natives. Feasts. 
Method of atoning for murder. Mourning for their dead. 
Method of preparing for war. Of their prisoners Page 231- 

II. 

Account of the first settlers of North America. Settlement- at 
New Plymouth. The Puritans purchase and settle the Massa- 
chusetts Bay. Connecticut and New Haven colonies settled. 
Providence and Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, New 
York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Carolina, Pennsylvania, 
Delaware and Georgia' =• - - - = Page 228- 

ill. 

Expedition agamst Louisbur^h. Gem Braddock defeated. Mas- 
sachusetts assembly declare against parliamentary taxes. The 
stamp act. Rijots at Boston on account of that act. The stamp^ 
act repealed. Mr. Charles Townshend's bill for taxing the col- 
onies afresh. Troops orderedto Boston. Soldiers at Boston 
fire on the inhabitants. East India company empowered to ex- 
port their own teas. Tea thrown into the sea at Boston. Mea- 
sures pursued r\;lative to the Boston port Bill. Massachusetts 
people prepare to defend their rights by arms. Gage fortifies 
the entrance into Boston. Proceedings in the British parlia- 
ment. Gen, Gage sends troops to Salem. He sends troops to 
Concord and Lnexington who are defeated. The restraining 
bills. Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne sail for Boston Page 235 

IV. 

The expedition against Ticonderoga. George Washington, Esq. 
elected commander in chief of the continental forces. The bat- 
tle at Breed's-hill, commonly called Bunker's-lnll. Georgia ac- 
ceeds to the union. The Thirteen United Colonies. The Asia 
man of war fires upon New York. Col. Arnold's expedition into 
Canada. Falmouth destroyed, and on what account. Col. Al- 



CONTENTS. xi 

len, an American officer, taken prisoner, and put in irons. Gen, 
Montcromery appears before Quebec, and is killed there 

V, Page 2A& 

Gen. Howe evacuates Boston. Norfolk in Virginia burnt. Sir 
Peter Parker and Earl Cornwallis sail for America. The block» 
ade of Quebec continued. The Americans retreat from before 
it. A number of Highlanders and Col. Campbell taken at Bos- 
ton. Declaration of American Independence. Gen. Howa 
lands the royal army on Long Island - - Page 251 

VI. 
Wretched state of the American armies under Washington and 
Gates. New York taken by the English. The battle of the 
White Plains. A body of Hessians defeated. at Trenton. Gen. 
Howe removes his army from Staten Island. Gen. Burgoyne 
proceeds to Grown Point. Tieonderoga and Fort Independence 
evacuated by the Americans. Description of the flag of the 
United States. Battle at the Brandywine. Philidelphia taken 
by the royal forces. Account of Miss M'Rea's cruel death by 
the Indians, Americans engage the British under Gen, Bur- 
goyne. Distress and calamity of the royal array. Gen, Bur- 
goyne baffled in all his designs, and reduced to the last extrem- 
ity. He signs the convention = » - - Page 260 

VII. 
o^uiit D inop i-epuls ed in the attack upon Red Bank. Mud Island 
reduced by the British Congress receive the treaties con- 
cluded between France and the United States. The Randolph, 
an American frigate, blown up. Sir Henry Clinton succeeds 
Gen. Howe in America. The Marquis de la Fayette, with 2500 
men, narrowly escapes being cut off by the British forces. The 
treaties between France and the United States signed. Lord 
North's consiliatory propositions. Messrs, Franklin, Deane, and 
Lee, have a public audience at the French court. The British 
army evacuates Philadelphia. Skirmishes between the British 
and Americans. The British arrive at Sandy Hook. Count 
d'Estaing*s fleet anchors within the Hook. Gov. Johnstone at- 
tempts to corrupt certain members of the congress. Dr. Frank- 
lin sent as minister to the court of France Page 268 

VIIL 
The British operations against Georgia. The affairs of the United 
States in a deplorable Condition. Gen. Lincoln sent to South 
Carolina. Gen. Ashe surprised and defeated. Sir Henry Clin- 
ton takes Stoney Point. Count d'Estaing sails from the West 
Indies for the American coast. The French and Americans 
repulsed at Savannah. Distress of Washington's army for want 
of bread. Charleston taken by the British forces. Tarlton de« 
feats Col. Budford. A French fleet with troops arrive at New. 
port Treaty signed between Holland and America. Earl 
Cornwallis defeats Gen, Gates, Major Andre taken and exe- 
cuted as a spy. Gen. Arnold takes refuge on board the Vulture 
^loop of WW » - - ^ - - . Page 275 



•;rii .CON-TENTS. 

IX. 

Sir Henry Clinton sends 3000 troops to the Bay of Chesapeake. 
The French and Spanish fleet form a junction in the West In- 
dies. Mr. Laurens taken in his passage to Holland. Sir Jo- 
seph Yorkleaves the Hague. Lieut. Colt Tarlton detached af- 
ter Gen. Morgan, by whom Tarlton is defeated. Cornwallis at- 
tacks Greene, and defeats him. Sir George Rodney and Gen. 
Vaughan take St. Eustatia, St. Martin, and Saba. The French 
troops join the Americans under Washington. Sir Samuel 
Hood and Count de Grasse engage. Lord Cornwallis repairs to 
York Town and Gloucester. A capitulation settled, and Corn- 
wallis surrenders the forts of York Town and Gloucester. The 
British fleet and army, destined for the relief of Lord Corn- 
wallis, arrive off Chesapeake after hb surrender, and cousequent- 
ly return to New-York. De Grasse sails for the West Indies 

X. Page 284 

Mr. Laurens discharged from his confinement in the Tower of 
London, Sir George Rodney comes up with Count de Grasse 
in the West Indies They eng-age. De Grasse is defeated and 
taken. The n^^fessity of Peace for the United States of Ameri- 
ca. Savannah evacuated by the British forces. Charleston also 
evacuated. Provisional articles of Peace signed between the 
British and American cammissioners The definitive treaty of 
peace signed between the English, French, Spanish and Ameri- 
cans = - - =' - .. , - Page 289 



THU 

HISTORY 

or THE 

GRECIAN STATES. 



CHAP. I. 

vJREECE, in its earliest infancy, was a combination of little states, 
each governed by its respective sovereign, yet all uniting for their 
mutual safety and general advantage. Their intestine contentions, 
however, were carried on with great animosity ; and, as it happens 
in all petty states under the dominion of a single commander, the 
jealousies of the princes were a continual cause of discord. From 
this distressful situation, those states, by degrees, began to emerge ; 
a different spirit began to seize the people, and, sick of the con- 
tentions of their princes, they desired to be free. A spirit of lib- 
erty prevailed all over Greece, and a general change of government 
was effected in every part of the country, except in Macedonia. 
Thus monarchy gave way to a republican government, which, how- 
ever, was diversified into as many various forms as there were dif- 
ferent cities, according to the peculiar character of each people. 

Though these cities seemed to differ from each other in their 
laws and interests, yet they were united by one common language, 
one religion, and a national pride, that taught them even to con- 
sider all other nations as barbarous and feeble. Even Egypt Itselfj 
from whence they had derived many of their arts and institutions, 
was con^dered in a very subordinate light. To make this union 
among the states of Greece still sti'onger, there were games insti- 
tuted in different parts of the country, with rewards for excellence 
in every pursuit. These sports were instituted for very serious 
and useful purposes : they afforded an opportunity for the several 
states meeting together ; they gave them a greater zeal for their 
common religion ; they exercised the j'ouths for the purposes of 
war, and encreased that vigour and activity, which were then of 
the utmost importance in deciding the fate of a battle. 

Their chief bond of union, however, arose from the council of 
the Amphictyons, which was instituted by Amphictyon, king ' of 
Athens, about the year 2500, and was appointed to be held twice 
a year at Thermopylae, to deliberate for the general good of those 
states, of whose deputies it was composed. The states who sent 
deputies to this council, were t.welve, namely, the Thessalians, the 



14 THE HISTORY OF 

Thebans, the Dorians, the lonians, the Perhaabeans, the Mag'- 
nates, the Locrians, the Oetans, the Pthiotes, the Maleans, the 
Phocians, and the Delopians. Each of these cities, which had a 
right to assist at the Amphictyonic council, was obliged to send 
two deputies to every meeting. The one was entitled the Hier- 
omnemon, who took care of the interests of religion ; the other 
was called the Pylagoras, and had in charge the civil interests of 
his community. 

This confederacy united the Greeks for a time into a body of 
great power and greater emulation. By this association, a coun- 
try, not half so large as England, was able to dispute the empire 
of the earth with the most powerful monarchs of the world ; by this 
association, they not only made head against the numerous armies 
of Persia, but dispersed, routed, and destroyed them, reducing 
their pride so low, as to make them submit to conditions of peace, 
as shameful to the conquered, as glorious to the conquerors. But, 
among all the cities of Greece there were two, which by their 
merit, their valour, and their wisdom, particularly distinguished 
themselves from the rest : these were Athens and Lacedaemon. 
As these cities served for examples of bravery or learning to the 
rest, and as the chief burthen of every foreign war devolved upon 
them, we shall proceed to give the reader a general idea of the 
genius, cliaracter, manners, and government, of their respective 
inhabitants. 

Though the kingdom. of Lacedsemon was not so considerable as 
that of Athens, yet, as it was of much earlier institution, it de- 
serves our first attention. Laced^mon was, for a long time, gov- 
erned with turbulence and oppression, and required the curb of 
severe laws and rigorous discipline. These severities and rigorous 
discipline were at last imposed upon it by Lycurgus, one of the 
first and most extraordinary legislators that ever appeared among" 
mankind. There is perhaps nothing more remarkable in profane 
history, yet nothing so well attested, as what relates to the laws 
and government of Lycurgus. What indeed can be more amaz- 
ing, than to behold a mutinous and savage race of mankind yielding 
submission to laws, that controuled every sensual pleasure, and 
every private affection ! To behold them give up for the good of 
the state, all the comforts and conveniences of private life, and 
making a state of domestic privacy more severe and terrible, than 
the most painful campaigns and the most warlike duties ! Yet all 
this was effected by the perseverance and authority of a single 
legislator, who gave the first lessons of hard resignation in his own 
generous examples. 

Lycurgus was tlie son of Eunomus, one of the two kings who 
reigned together in Sparta : During the minority of Charilaus, 
Lycurgus acted as regent ; but resolving to make himself ac- 
quainted with all the improvements of other nations, he travelled 
into Crete, passed over into Asia, and from thence went into Egypt. 
But while he was thus employed abroad, his presence was greatly 
wanted at home, where every thing was hastening to anarchy and 



CKECIAN STATES. 15 

Tuin. On his return, he found the people wearied out with their 
own importunities, and ready to receive any new impressions he 
might attempt. He first communicated Ids design of altering the 
whole code of laws to his particular friends, and then by degrees 
g-ained over the leading men to his party, until things being ripe 
for a ciiange, he ordered thirty of the principal men to appear 
armed in tlie market place. Charilaus, who was at this time king, 
at first opposed the revolution, but was soon persuaded to join in 
the measure. 

To continue the kings still with a shadow of power, he confirmed 
them in their rights of succession as before : but diminished their 
authority by instituting a senate, which was to serve as a counter- 
poise between the prerogative and the people. The kings, how- 
ever, had still all their former marks of outward dignity and re- 
spect. The government hitherto had been unsteady, tending at 
one time towards despotism, at another to democracy ; but the 
senate instituted by Lycurgus served as a check upon both, and 
kept the state balanced in tranquillity. 

To keep the people in plenty and dependence, seems to have 
been one of the most refined strokes in this philosopher's legisla- 
tion. The generality of people were at that time so poor, that thev 
were destitute of every kind of possession, while a small numb^ 
of individuals were possessed of all the lands and the wealth of the 
country. In order, therefore, to banish the insolence, the fraud, 
and the luxury of the one, as well as the misery, the repining, and 
the factious despair of the other, he persuaded the majority, and 
forced the rest, to give up all their lands to the commonwealth^ 
and to make a new division of them, that they miglit all live to- 
gether in perfect equality. Thus all the sensual goods of life were 
distributed among- the governors and the governed, and superior 
merit alone conferred superior distinction. 

It would, however, have answered no permanent purpose to di- 
vide the lands, if the money had been still suffered to accumulate. 
To prevent, therefore, all other distinctions but that of merit, he 
resolved to level down all fortune to one standard. He did not, 
indeed, strip those possessed of gold or silver of their property; 
but, what was equivalent, he cried down its value, and suffered 
nothing but iron maney to pass in exchange for every commodity. 
This coin also he made so heavy, and fixed at so low a rate, that 
ft cart and two oxen were required to carry home a sum equivalent 
to twenty pounds English, and a whole house was necessary to 
keep it in. By these means, money was soon brought into disuse, 
and few troubled themselves with more than was sufficient to sup- 
ply their necessaries. Thus not only riches, but their attendant 
train of avarice, fraud, rapine, and luxury, were banished from this 
simple state. 

Even these institutions were not thought sufficient to prevent that 
tendency, which mankind have to private excess. A third regu- 
lation was therefore made, commanding that all meals should be in 
public. He ordained, that all the men should eat in one common 



16 THE HISTORY OF THK 

hall without distinction ; and lest strangers should attempt to cor-' 
rupt his .citizens by their example, a law was expressly made ag-ainst 
their entrance into the city. By these means, frugality was not 
only made necessary, but the use of riches was at once abolished. 
Every man sent monthly his provisions to the common stock, witk 
* little money for other contingent expences. 

So rigorous an injunction, which thus cut off all the delicacies 
and refinements of luxury, was by no means pleasing to the rich, 
who took every occasion to insult the lawgiver on his new regula- 
tions. The tumults it excited were frequent ; and in one of these, 
a young fellow, whose name was Alexander, struck out one of Ly- 
curgus's eyes ; but he had the majority of the people on his side, 
who, provoked at the outrage, delivered the young man into his 
hands to treat him with all proper severity. Lycurgus, instead of 
testifying any brutal resentment, won over his aggressor by all the 
arts of ability and tenderness, till at last, fi-om being one of the 
proudest and most turbulent men of Sparta, he became an example 
of wisdom and moderation, and an useful assistant to Lycurgus iix 
promoting his new institutions. 

Thus undaunted by opposition, and steady in his designs, he 
went on to make reformation in the manners of his countrymen. 
As the education of youth was one of the most importai\t objects 
of a legislator's care, he first instituted, that such children as, upon 
a public view were deemed deformed or weakly, and unfitted for 
a future life of vigour and fatigue, should be exposed to perish in 
a cavern near mount Taygetus. Those infants that were born 
without any capital defects, were adopted as children of the state, 
(md delivered to their parents t5 be nursed with severity and hard- 
ship. From their tenderest age, tliey were accustomed to make 
no choice in their eating, nor to be afraid in tlie dark, or when left 
alon^e ; not to be peevish or fretful, to walk barefoot, to lie hard at 
nights, to wear the same clothes winter and summer, and to fear 
nothing from their equals. At the age of seven they were taken 
from their parents, and delivererd over to the classes for their ed- 
ucation. Their discipline there was little else than an apprentice- 
ship to hardship, self-denial, and obedience. 

All ostentatious learning was banished from this simple com- 
monwealth : their only study was to obey, their only pride was to 
suffer hardships. There was yearly a custom of whipping them 
»t the altar of Diana, and the boy that bore this punishment with 
the greatest fortitude came off victorious. Every institution seem- 
ed calculated to harden the body, and sharpen the mind for war. 
In order to prepare them for stratagems and sudden incursions, the 
boys were permitted to steal from each other ; but if they were 
caught in the fact, they were punished for their want of dexterity. 

At twelve years old, the boys were removed into another class 
of a more advanced kind. There, in order to crush the seeds of 
vice which, at that time began to appear, their labour and disci- 
pline were encreased with their age. They had now their skir- 
THishes between parties, and their mock fights between I^t^qv boA-^ 



GRECIAN STATES. If 

ifts. In these they often fought with hands^ feet, teeth, and nails 
with such obstinacy, that it was common to see them lose theii* 
eyes, and often their lives, before the fray was determined. Such 
was the constant discipline of their minority, which lasted till the 
age of thirty, before which they were not permitted to marry, to gm 
into the troops, or to bear any office in the state. 

With regard to the virgins, their discipline was equally strict 
with the former. They were inured to a constant course of labour 
and industry, until they were twenty years old, before which time 
they were not allowed to be marriageable. 

Valour and generosity seemed the ruling motives of this new 
institution ; arms were their only exercise and employment, and 
their life was much less austere in the camp than in the city. The 
Spartans were the only people in the world, to whom the time of 
war was a time of ease and refreshment ; because then the sever »► 
ity of their manners was relaxed, and the men were indulged in 
greater liberties. With them the first principles of war was never 
to turn their backs on their enemies, however disproportioned in 
forces, nor to deliver up their arms until they resigned them 
with life- 

Such was the general purport of the institutions of Lycurgus, 
which from their tendency gained the esteem and admiration of all 
the surrounding nations. The Greeks were ever apt to be dazzled 
rather with splendid than useful virtues, and praised the laws of 
Lycurgus, which at best were calculated rather to make men war- 
like than happy, and to substitute insensibility instead of enjoyment. 

When Lycurgus had thus completed his military institution, and 
when the form of government he had established seemed strong^ 
and vigorous enough to support itself, his next care was to give it 
all the permanence in his power. He therefore signified to the 
people, that something still remained for the completion of his 
plan, and that he was under the necessity of going to consult the 
oracle of Delphos for its advice. In the mean time he persuaded 
them to take an oath, for tic strict observance of all his laws until 
his return, and then departed with a full resolution of never seeing 
Sparta more. When he was arrived at Delphos, he consulted th^ 
oracle, to know whether the laws he had made were sufficient to 
render the Lacedaemonians happy, and being answered, that noth- 
ing was wanting to their perfection, he sent this answer to Sparta, 
land then voluntarily starved himself to death. Others say he died 
in Crete, ordering his body to be burnt, and his ashes to be thrown 
into the sea. The death of this great lawgiver gave a sanction 
and authority to his laws, which his life was unable to confer. The 
Spartans regarded his end as the most glorious of all his actions, 
and a noble finishing of all his former services. They built a tem- 
ple, and paid divine honours to him after his death ; they consid- 
ered themselves as bound by every tie of gratitude and religion to 
a strict observance of all his institutions ; and the long continuance 
of the Spartaa government is a proof of their persevering respki- 
laon. 

B S 




^% THE HISTORY OF THE 



CHAP. II. 

1 HE Athenians having", for more than a century, seen the good 
effects of laws in the regulation of the Spartan commonwealth, 
about the year 3380^ became desirous of being governed by written 
laws. They pitched upon Draco, a man of acknowledged wisdom 
and unshaken integrity, but rigid even beyond human sufferance» 
Draco not succeeding in this business, Solon was applied to for 
his advice and assistance, as he was the wisest and justest man 
in all Athens. His greart learning had acquired him the reputa- 
tion of being the first of the seven wise men of Greece, and his 
known humanity procured him the love and veneration of every 
rank among his fellow citizens. Solon was a native of Salamais, an 
island dependent on Athens, but which had revolted to put itself 
under the power of the Megareans. In attempting to recover this 
island, the Athenians had spent much blood and treasure, until at 
last wearied out with such ill success, a law was made, rendering 
it capital ever to advise the recovery of their lost possession. So- 
lon, however, undertook to persuade them to another trial i and, 
feigning himself mad, he ran about the streets, using the most vi- 
olent gestures and language ; but the purport of all was, t© upbraid 
the Athenians for their remissness and effeminacy, in giving up 
their conquests in despair. In short, he acted his part so welly by 
the oddity of his manners, and the strength of his reasoning, that 
the people resolved upon another expedition against Salamais ; 
and, by a stratagem of his contrivance, in which he introduced 
several young men upon the island in women's clothes, the place 
was surprised, and added to the dominion of Athens, 

But this was not the only occasion, on which he exhibited supe- 
rior address and wisdom. At a time when Greece had carried 
the arts of eloquence, poetry, and government, higher than they 
had yet been seen among mankind, Solsn was considered as one of 
the foremost in each profession. The sages of Greece, whose 
fame is still undiminished, acknowledged his merit, and adopted 
him as their associate. The correspondence between these wise 
men was at once instructive, friendly, and sincere. They were 
seven in number, namely, Thales the Milesian, Solon of Athens, 
Chilo of Lacedsemon, Pittacus of Mitylene, Periander of Corinth j 
Bias and Cleobulus, whose birth-places are not ascertained. 

These sages often visited each other, and their conversations 
generally turned upon the methods of instituting the best form of 
government, or the arts of private happiness. One day, when So- 
lon went to Miletus to see Thales, the first thing he said, was to 
express his surprise that Thales had never desired to marry, or 
have children. Thales made no answer then, but a few days after 
contrived that a stranger, supposed to ai*rive from Athens, should 
join their company. Solon, hearing from vv-hence the stranger 
came, was inquisitive after the news of his own city, but was only. 



GRECIAN STATES. 1§ 

informed, that a younp: man died there, for whom the whole place 
was in the greatest affliction, as he wras i*eputed the most promis- 
ing youth in all Athens, " Alas ! (cried Solon) how much is the 
poor father of the youth to be pitied ! Pray, what was his name ?'* 
** I heard the name, (replied the stranger, who was instructed for 
the occasion) but I have forgotten it : I only remember; that all 
people talked much of his wisdom and justice." Every answer 
afforded new matter of trouble and terror to the inquisitive father, 
and he had just strength enough to ask, if the youth was the son 
of Solon, ** The very same," replied the stranger ; at which 
words Solon shewed all the marks of the most inconsolable dis- 
tress. This was the opportunity which Thales wanted, who took 
him by the hand, and said to him with a smile, «* Comfort yourself, 
my friend, all that has been told yen is a mere fiction, but may 
serve as a very proper answer to your question, why I never 
thought proper to marry." 

One day, at the court of Periander of Corinth, a question was 
pfoposed, " Which was the most perfect popular government ?" 
*' That (said Bias) where the laws have no superior." "That 
(said Thales) where the inhabitants are neither too rich nor too 
poor." *' That (said Anacharsis the Scythian) where virtue is 
honoured and vice detested." " That (said Pittacus) where dig- 
nities are always conferred upon the virtuous, and never upon the 
base," *' That (said Cleobulus) where the citizens fear blame 
more than punishment," " That (said Chilo) where the laws are 
more regarded than the orators." But Solon's opinion seems to 
have the greatest weight, who said, *' Where an injury done to the 
meanest subject is an insult upon the whole constitution." 

Upon a certain occasion, when Solon was conversing with Ana- 
charsis, the Scythian philosopher, about his intended reformation 
in the state, " Alas, (cried the Scythian) all your laws will be 
found to resemble spiders' webs : the weak and small flies will be 
caught and entangled, but the great and powerful will always have 
strength enough to break through." 

A matter still more celebrated is Solon's Interview with CrcESUS, 
king of Lydia. This monarch, who was reputed the richeist of all 
Asia Minor, was willing to make an ostentatious display of his 
wealth before the Greek philosopher, and after shewing him im- 
mense heaps of treasures, and the greatest variety of other orna- 
ments, he demanded, whether he did not think the possessor of 
them the most happy of all mankind. ** No, (replied Solon) I 
know one more happy, a poor peasant of Greece, who, neither in 
affluence nor in poverty, has but few wants, and has learned to 
supply them by his labour." This answer was by no means agreQ- 
able to the vain monarch, who by this question hoped only for a 
reply that would tend to flatter his pride. Willing, therefore, to 
extort one still more favourable, he asked, whether, at least, he 
did not think him happy, " Alas ! (cried Solon) what man can be 
pronounced happy before he dies !" The integrit)^ and the wisdom of 
Solon's replies appeared in the event. The kingdom af Lydia \v%s 



^ THE HISTORY OF THE 

invaded by Cyrus, the empire destroyed, and Croesus himself was 
taken prisoner. When he was led out to execution, according" to 
the barbarous manner of the times, he then too late recollected the 
maxims of Solon, and could not help crying out when on the scaf- 
fold upon Solon's name. Cyrus, hearing him repeat the name with 
great earnestness, was desirous of knowing the reason ; and being 
informed by Croesus of that philosopher's remarkable observation, 
he began to fear for himself, pardoned CrcESUs, and took him for 
the future into confidence and frieadship. Thus Solon had the 
iHerit of saving one king's life, and of reforming another. 

Such was the man, to whom Athens applied for assistance in 
reforming the severity of their government, and instituting a just 
body of law. His first attempt was, therefore, in favour of the 
poor, whose debts he abolished at once, by an express law of insol- 
vency. His next step was to repeal all the laws enacted by Draco, 
except those against murder. He then proceeded to the regula- 
tion of offices, employments, and magistrates, all which he left in 
the hands of the rich; and he distributed the rich into three 
classes, ranging them according to their incomes. The Areopa- 
gus, so called from the place where the court was held, had been 
established some centuries before, but Solon restored and aug- 
mented its authority. Nothing was so august as this court, and 
its reputation for judgment and integrity became so very great, 
that the Romans sometimes referred causes, which were too in- 
tricate for their own decision, to the determination of this tribunal. 
Nothing was regarded here but truth : that ^o external objects 
might pervert justice, the tribunal was held in darkness, and the 
advocates were denied all attempts to work upon the passions of 
the judges. Superior to, this, Solon instituted the great council 
of four hundred, who were to judge upon appeals from the Are- 
opagus, and maturely to examine every question before it came 
to be debated in a general assembly of the people. 

He abolished the custom of giving portions in marriage with 
young women, unless they were only daughters. The bride was 
to carry no other fortune to her husband than three suits of 
clothes, and some household goods of little value. It was his aim 
to prevent making matrimony a tralSc : he considered it as an hon- 
ourable connexion, calculated for the mutual happiness of both 
parties, and the general advantage of the state. 

These were the prijicipal insatitutions of this celebrated lawgiver, 
and though neither so striking, nor yet so well authorized as those 
of Lycurgus, they did not fall to operate for several succeeding 
ages, and seemed to gather strength by observance. In order to 
perpetuate his statutes, he engaged the people by a public oath to 
observe them religiously, at least for a term of an hundred years : 
and thus, having completed the task assigned him, he withdrew 
from the city, to avoid the importunity of some, and the captious 
petulance of others ; for, as he well knew, it was hard if not im- 
possible to please every individual. Solon being now employed 
«n his travels in visiting JBgypt, Lydia and severjkl other couatri«9. 



GRECIAN STATES. 21 

left Athens to become habituated to his new institutions, and to try 
by experience the wisdom of their formation. 

While Solon was thus on his travels, civil contentions disturbed 
Athens, and the spirit of party v^as hastening every thing" to ruin. 
After ten years' absence, Solon returned to Athens, and found the 
city involved in slavery. Pisistratus had procured himself a guard 
formed of his own creatures, who at length seized on the citadel, 
while none were left, who had sufficient courage or conduct to op- 
pose him. 

In this general consternation, which was the result of folly on 
the one hand, and treachery on the other, the whole city was one 
scene of tumult and disorder, some flying, others Inwardly com- 
plaining, others preparing for slavery with patient submission. 
Solon was the only man, who, v/ithout fear or shrinking, deplored 
the folly of the times, and reproached the Athenians with their 
cowardice and treachery. *' You might with ease (said he) have 
crushed the tyi'ant in his bud ; but nothing now remains but to 
pluck him up by the roots. As for myself, I have at least the sat- 
isfaction of having discharged my duty to my country and the laws: 
as for the rest, I have nothing to fear ; and now, upon the des- 
truction of my country, my only confidence is in my great age, 
which gives me the hopes of not being a long survivdr." In fact, 
he did not survive the liberty of his country above two years ; he 
died at Cyprus, in the eightieth year of his age, lamented and 
admired by every state of Greece. Besides his skill in legislation, 
Solon was remarkable for several other shining qualities : he was 
master of eloquence in so high a degree, that from him Cicero 
dates the origin of oratory in Athens. He was also successful in 
poetry ; and Plato asserts, that it was only for want of due appli- 
cationj that he did not come to dispute the prize with Homer him- 
self. 



CHAP. III. . 



A* ROM the death of Solon, to about the year of the world 350(>> 
Athens continued to be the scene of party cabals, and usurped ty- 
ranny ; but, about this period, two young citizens began to distin- 
guish themselves at Athens, namely Aristides and Themisto- 
cles. These Youths were of very different dispositions ; but from 
this difference resulted the greatest advantages of their country. 
Themistocles was naturalfy inclined to a popular government, and 
omitted noth>rtg that could render him agreeable to the public, or 
gain him friends, ^is complaisance was boundless, and his desire 
to oblige sometim^'s outstepped the bounds of duty. His partial- 
ity was often conspicuous. Aristides was remarkable for bis jus- 
tice and integrity. Being a favourer of aristocracy, in imitation 
•f Lycurgus, he was friendly, but never at th« expense ©f justice^ 



^ i THE HIS TORY OF THE 

Xn seeking honours, he ever declined the interests of his friends, 
lest they should, in turn, demand his interest when his duty was to 
1)6 impartial. The love of the public g'ood was the g-reat spring- of 
all his actions, and with that in view no difficulties could daunt, no 
successor elevation exhalt him On all occasions he preserved his 
usual calmness of temper, being- persuaded, that he was entirely his 
country's, and very little his own. 

At tliis time, Darius, king of Persia, was turning his arms 
against Greece, while these illustrious Athenians were inspiring 
their fellow citizens with a noble confidence in their bravery, and 
made every prepara^^ion for the expected invasion, which prudence 
and deliberate valour could sugg-est. 

In the mean time, Darius' generals made themselves masters of 
the islands in the jEgean sea, and l^id siege to Eretria, which they 
at last to j'lv by storm, owing to the treachery of some of the princi-- 
pal inhabitants. The to^vn was plundered and burnt, and the in- 
habitants put in chains^ and sent as tlie first fruits of war to the 
Persian monarch ; but he, contrary to their expectations, treated 
them v/ith great lenity, and gave them a village in the country of 
Cissa to live in. 

This was soon followed by the b^tle lof Marathon, the first great 
battle the Greeks had ever engaged in. It was not like any of their 
former contests arising from jealousy, and terminating it in an easy 
accommodation : it was a battle that wai to be decided with the 
greatest monarch of the earth. This was an engagement that was 
to decide the liberty of Greece, and, what was of infinitely greater 
moment, the future progress of refinement among mankind. Upon 
the event of the battle depended the complexion, which the man- 
ners of the West were hereafter to assume, whether they were to 
adopt Asiatic customs with their conquerers, or to go on in model- 
ling themselves upon Grecian refinements. This therefore may 
be considered as one of the most important battles that ever was 
fought, and the event was as little to be expected as the success 
was glorious. 

Miltiades, who was now invested with the supreme command of 
the Greek army, like an experienced general, endeavoured, by the 
advantag-e of his ground, to make up tlie deficiency in strength and 
number, his whole army consisting of but ten thousand. He was 
sensible, that by extending his front to oppose the enemy, he must 
weaken it too much, and give their dense body the advantage. He 
therefore drew up his array at the foot of a mountain, so that the 
enemy should not surround him, or charge him in the rear, On 
the flanks, on either side, he caused large trees to be thrown, 
which were cut down for tiiat purpose, and these served to guard 
him from the Persian cavalry, that generally wheeled on the flank 
in the heat of the engagement. Datis, the Persian general, was 
sensible of his advantageous disposition ; but relying on his supe- 
riority of numbers, and unv/illing to wait ti\l Miltiades should re- 
ipeive reinforcementSj he determined to engage. 



GRECIAN STATES. 23 

The signal was no sooner g-iven than the Athenians, without wait- 
ing the Persian onset, rushed in upon their ranks with desperate 
rapidity, as if wholly re ,^^rdless of safety. The Persians considered 
this first step of the Athenians as the result of madness, and were 
more inclined to despise them as maniacs, than oppose them as 
soldiers. However, they were quickly undeceived. It had never 
been the custom of the Greeks to run on with this headlon,^ valour 5 
but comparing" the number of their own forces with that of the ene- 
my and expecting- safety only from ra&hness, they determined to 
break throug-h the enemy's ranks, or fall in the attempt. The 
greatness of their danger added to their courage, and despair did. 
the rest. The Persians, however, stood their g-round with great 
intrepidity, and the battle v/as long-, fierce, and obstinate- Milti- 
ades had made the wings of his array exceedingly strong, but had 
left the main body weaker, and not so deep ; for having but ten 
thousand men to oppose such a numerous army, he supposed the 
victory could be obtained by no other means than by strengthening 
his flanks. He doubted not but that, v/hen his wings were once 
victorious, they would be gble to wheel upon the enemy's main 
body on either side, and then easily rout them. The Persians, 
therefore,, finding the main body weakest, attacked it with their 
utmost vigour. It was in vain that Aristides and Themistocles, 
who were stationed in this post of dang-er, endeavoured to keep 
their troops to the charge : courage and intrepidity were unabla 
to resist the torrent of encreasing numbers, so that they were at 
last obliged to give ground. In the m^an time the wings were 
victorious ; and now, just as the main body was fainting under th# 
unequal encounter, these came up, and gave them time to recover 
their strength and order. Thus the scale of victory quickly turned 
in their favour, the Persians began to give ground in turn, and, be- 
ing unsupported by fresh forces, they fled to their ships with the 
utmost precipitation. The confusion and disorder was now univer- 
sal, the Athenians followed them to the beach, and set many of 
their ships on fire. 

On this occasion it was that Cyndceyrus, the brother of the poet 
JEschylus, seized with his hand one of the ships that the enemy 
was pushing off from the shore. The Persians within, seeing 
themselves thus stopped, cutoff his right hand that held the prow ; 
he then laid hold of it with his left, which they also cut off; at 
last he seized it with his teeth, and in that manner expired, 

Sevfen of the enemy's ships were taken, above six thousand Per- 
sians were slain, without reckoning those who were drowned in the 
sea as they endeavoured to escape, or those who were consumed 
when the ships were set on fire. Of the Greeks, not above two 
hundred men were killed, among whom was Callimachus, who 

fave his vote for bringing on the engagement. The Persian forces 
afore the battle, consisted of six Iiundred ships, and an army of 
an hundred and twenty thousand men. Their instructions were 
to give up Athens to be plundered, to burn all the houses and tem- 
ples and to lead awray all the inhabitants into slavery. The country 



U THE HISTORY OF THE 

was to be laid desolate, and the army was provided with chains and 
fetters for binding the conquered nations. 

Thus ended the famous J^attle of Marathon, which the Persians 
were so sure of gaining, that they brought marble into the field, 
in order to erect a trophy there. This battle was fought in the 
year of the world 3514. 

A part of the army, inimediately after the battle marched for* 
ward to Athens, to protect it from any attempts the enemy might 
make, which proved a very prudent measure ; for tlie Persian 
fleet, instead of sailing directly back to Asia, made an attempt to 
surprise Athens, before they supposed the Greek troops could 
arrive from Marathon. The Athenian troops, however, took the 
precaution to move directly thither, and performed their march 
with so much espedition, that, though it was forty miles from 
Marathon, they arrived there in one day. In this manner the 
Greeks not only expelled their enemies, but confirmed their se- 
curity. By this victory, the Grecians were taught to know their 
own strength, and not to tremble before an enemy only terrible in 
name. 

The gratitude of the Athenians t© Miltiades spoke a noblenes* 
of mindj that far surpassed expensive triumphs, or base adulation. 
Sensible that his merits were too great for money to repay, they 
caused a picture to be painted by Polygnotus, one of their most 
celebrated artists, in which Miltiades was represented, at the 
head of the ten commanders, exhorting the soldiers, and setting 
them an example of their duty. This picture was preserved for 
many ages, with other paintings of the best masters, in the portico 
where Zeno afterwards instituted his school of philosophy. Every 
officer, as well as private soldier, who fell in this battle, had a nion- 
ument erected to his memory on the plains of Marathon. 

Though the gratitude of the Athenians to Miltiades was very 
sincere, yet it was of no long continuance. This fickle and jeal- 
ous people, naturally caprieious, and now more than ever careful 
of preserving their freedom, were willing to take every oppor- 
tunity of mortifying a general, from whose merit they had much to 
fear. Being appointed, with seventy ships, to punish those islands 
that had &voured the Persian invasion, he sailed to Paros, and in- 
vested that place. Here, having broken his tliigh by an accident, 
he was obliged to raise the siege, and return home. On his arri- 
val at Athens, the whole city began to murmur, and he was accus- 
ed of having taken a bribe from Persia. As he was not in a con- 
dition to answ^er this charge, being confined to his bed by the 
wound he received at Paros, the accusation took place against 
him, and he was condemned to lose his life. However, in consid- 
eration of his former services, his sentence was commuted into a 
penalty of fifty talents, the sum which it had cost the state in fit- 
ting out the late unsuccessful expedition. Not being rich enough 
to pay this sum, he was thrown into prison, where his wound 
growing worse, from bad air and confinement, it turned at last to 
a gangrene, and put an end to his life and misfortunes. Thus per- 



GRECIAN STATES. 2ii 

ishecl a man, "who had betsn very justly praised for his condescension 
moderation and justice. To him Athens was indebted for all its 
glory, he being- the man who first taught her to despise the empty 
menaces of the boastful Persians. Cimon, his son, who was at 
this time very young-, signalized his piety on this occasion. As 
this ungrateful city would not permit the body of Miltiades to be 
buried until all his debts were paid, this young- man employed all 
his interesst among his friends, strained his utmost credit to pay 
the fine, and procured his father an honourable interment. 



CHAP. IV, 



A^ARIUS, king" of Persia, died amidst the preparations he was 
making for a second expedition into Greece ; but he was succeed- 
ed by a son, who inherited all his ambition, without any share of 
his abilities. He was a young man, surrounded by flatterers, 
and naturally vain and superficial. Having drained all the East to 
compose his own army, and the West to supply those of the Car- 
thagenians, who were come to his aid, he set out from Suca, in or- 
der to enter on this war, ten years after the battle of Marathon, 
and in the year of the world 3523. 

Sardis was the place, where the various nations that were com- 
pelled to his banner were to assemble. His fleet was to advance 
along the coast of Asia Minor towards the Hellespont ; but as^ 
in doubling the cape of Mount Athos, many ships were detained, 
he was resolved to cut apassage through that neck of land, which, 
joined the mount to the continent, and thus gave his shipping a 
shorter and safer passage. This canal was a mile and a half long, 
and hollowed out from a high mountain. It required immense labour 
to perform so great a work ; but his numbers and his ambition 
were sufficient to surmount all difficulties. To urge on the under- 
taking the faster, he treated his laborers with the greatest severity, 
while, with all the ostentation of an eastern prince, he gave hig 
commands to the mountains to sink before him : Athos, (swd 
he) thou proud aspiring mountain, that liftest up thy head unto 
the heavens, be not so audacious as to put obstacles in my wkj. If 
thou givest them that opposition, I will cut thee level to the 
plain, and throw thee headlong into the sea 1" 

Early in the spring, he directed his march down towards the 
Hellespont, where his fleet lay in all their pomp, expecting his ar» 
rival. Here he was desirous of taking a survey of all his forces, 
which composed an army that was never equalled either before or 
since. It was composed of the most powerful nations of the East, 
and of people scarce known to posterity, except by name. The 
remotest India contributed its supplies, while the coldest tracts of 
Scythia sent their assistance. Medes, Persians, Bactriaas, Ly" 
diansjAsspiansjHyrcanians, and an hundred other countries of va- 
C 



26 THE HISTORY OF THE 

rious complexions, languages, dresses and arras. The land army 
which he brought out of Asia, consisted of seventeen hundred thou- 
sand foot, and four score thousand horse. Three hundred thou- 
sand more that were added upon crossing the Hellespont, made all 
his land forces together amount to above two millions of men. His 
fleet, when it set out from Asia, consisted of twelve hundred and 
seven vessels, each carrying two hundred men. The Europeans 
augmented his fleet with an hundred and twenty vessels, each of 
which carried two hundred men. Besides these, there were a 
thousand smaller vessels, fitted for carrying provisions and stores. 
The men contained in these, with the former, amounted to six 
hundred thousand : so that the whole army might be said to amount 
to two millions and a half, which, with the women, slaves, and set- 
tlers, always accompanying a Persian army, might make the whole 
above five millions of souls. Such was the state of this proud mon- 
arch's forces. 

Lord of so many and such various subjects, Xerxes found a plea- 
sure in reviewing his forces ; beholding all the earth covered with 
his troops, and all the sea crouded with his vessels, he felt a se- 
cret joy diffuse itself through his fiame, from the consciousruess of 
his own superior power. But all the workings of this monarch's 
mind were in extreme : a sudden sadness soon took place of his 
pleasure, and dissolving into a shower of tears, he gave himself up 
to the reflection, that not one of so many thousands would be aliye 
an hundred years after. ■^' 

In the mean time Xerxes had given orders for building a bridge 
of boats across the Hellespont, for the transporting of his army into 
Europe. This narrow strait, which now goes by the name of the 
Dardanelles, is near an English mile over. How ever, soon| after 
the completion of this work, a violent storm arising, the whole was 
broken and destroyed, and the labour was to be undertaken anew. 
The fury of Xerxes, upon this disappointment, was attended with 
equal extravagance and cruelty. His vengeance knew no bounds, 
the workmen who had undertaken the task, had their heads struck 
off^by his order; and that the sea also might know its duty, he or- 
dered it to be lashed as a delinquent, and a pair of fetters thrown 
into it, to curb its future irregularities. Having thus given vent to 
his absurd resentment, two bridges were ordered to be built in the 
place of the former, one for the army to pass over, and the other 
for the baggage and beasts of burden. The workmen, now warned 
by the fate of their predecessors, undertook to give their labours 
greater stability : they placed three hundred and sixty vessels 
across the strait, some of them having three banks of oars, and 
others fifty oars a-piece. They then cast large anchors on both 
sides into the water, in order to fix those vessels against the vio- 
lence of the winds and current. They then drove large piles into 
the earth, with huge rings fastened to them, to which were tied 
six vast cables, which went over each of the two brides,— Over all 
these they laid trunks of trees, cut purposely for that use, and flat 
boats over Uiem, fastened and joijjed together, so as to serre for 



GRECIAN STATES. 27 

a floor, or solid bottom. When the whole work was thus com- 
pleted, a day was appohited for their passing over ; and as soon as 
the first rays of the sun began to appear, sweet odours of all kinds 
were abundantly scattered over the new work, and the way was 
strewed with myrtle. At the same time, Xerxes, turning his face 
towards the east, worshipped the sun, which is the god of the Per- 
sians. Then, throwing his libations into the sea, together with a 
golden cup and Persian scymitar, he went forwards and gave orders 
for the army to follow. This immense train were no less than sev- 
en days and seven nights passing over, while those who were ap- 
pointed to conduct the march, quickened the troops by lashing 
them along ; for the soldiers of the East, at that time, and to this 
day, are treated like slaves. Thus this immense army having 
landed in Europe, and being joined by the several European na- 
tions that acknowledged the Persian power, Xerxes prepared for 
marching directly forward into Greece. 

He continued his march through Thrace, Macedonia, and Thes- 
saly, every knee bending before him till he came to the straits of 
Thermopylae, where he first found an enemy prepared to dispute his 
passage. This army was a body of Spartans, led on by Leonidas 
their king, who had been sent thither to oppose him. None of the 
Grecian states were found bold enoug-h to face this formidable ar- 
my but Athens and Lacedaemon. One cannot, without astonish- 
ment, reflect on the intrepidity of these two states, who determined 
to face the innumerable army of Xerxes with such disproportioned 
forees. Their whole army amounted to only eleven thousand two 
hundred men. Aristides was called from banishment, and placed 
at the head of their forces. 

It was soon resolved to send a body of men to guard the pass at 
Thermopylee, where a few would be capable of acting against num- 
bers. Thermopylae was a narrow pass of twenty five feet broad, 
between Thessaly and Phocis, defended by the remains of a wall, 
with gates to it. This place was pitched upon, as well for the nar= 
rawness of the way, as for its vicinity to the sea, from whence the 
land forces could occasionally receive assistance from the fleet. 
The command of this important pass was given to Leonidas, one of 
the kings of Sparta, who led thither a body of six thousand men. 
They were all along taught to look upon themselves as a forlorn 
hope, only placed there to check the progress of the enemy, and 
give them a foretaste of the desperate valour of Greece. Even or- 
acles were not wanting to check their ardour ; for it had been de- 
clared, that to procure the safety of Greece it was necessary that 
a king, one of the descendants of Hercules should die. This task 
was cheerfully undertaken by Leonidas ; and as he marched out 
from Lacedaemon he considered himself as a wilhng victim oflTered 
up for the good joi"his country. However, he joyfully put himself 
at the head of his little band, took possession of his post, and with 
deliberate desperation waited at Thermopylae for the coming up of 
the Persian army. 



2« THE HISTORY OF THE 

In the mean time, Xerxes approached with his numerous army 
flushed with success, and confident of victory. His camp exhibited 
all the marks of Eastern magnificence and Asiatic hixury. As he 
expected to meet no obstructions on his way to Greece, he was sur- 
prised to find, that a handful of men would dare to dispute his pas- 
sage. .He waited four days to give the Greeks time to retire j but 
they continued their post, amusing themselves in their usual way. — 
Me sent to them to deliver up their arms ; but Leonidas, with a truly 
Spartan spirit, desired him to come and take him. Xerxes offered 
ilTthey would lay down their arms, to receive them as friends, and 
to give them a country much larger and better than what they 
fought for. " No country (they replied) was worth acceptance, 
unless won by virtue ; and as for their arms, they should want 
them, whether as his friends or enemies." 

Xerxes, thu^i treated with contempt, at length ordered a body of 
3^edes to advance, who began the onset, but were repulsed with 
great loss. 'i he number of the assailants only served to increase their 
confusion ; and it now began to appear, that Xerxes had many fol- 
lowers, but few soldiers. These forces being routed by the Grecian 
troops, the Persian immortal band was brought up ; but these were 
as unsuccessful as the former. Thus did the Greeks keep their 
ground for two days, and no power on earth seemed capable of re- 
moving them from their advantageous situation. The Persians 
liowever, by the treachery of a Grecian deserter, got possession of 
an advantageous post, which commanded the rear of the Spartans, 

Leonidas, apprized of his misfortune, and seeing' that his post 
Was no longer tenable, advised the troops of his allies to" retire, and 
reserve themselves for better times, and the future safety of Greece. 
As for himself, and his fellow Spartans, they were obliged by tlieir 
laws not to fly ; that he owed a life to his country, and that it was 
mow his duty to fall in its defence. Having thus dismissed all but 
his three hundred Spartans, with some Thesbians and Thebans, in 
all not a thousand men, he exhorted his followers, in the most 
cheerful manner, to prepare for death. " Come, my fellow-soldiers, 
said he, let us dine cheerfully here, for to-night we shall sup with 
Pluto." His men upon hearing his determined purpose, set up a 
loud shout, as if they had been invited to a banquet, and resolved 
esery man to sell his life as dear as he could. The night now be- 
gan to advance, and this was thought the most glorious opportunity 
of meeting death in the enemy's camp. Thus resolved, they made 
directly to the Persian tents, and, in the darkness of the night, had 
almost reached the royal pavilion, with hopes of surprising the king. 
The obscurity added much to the horror of the scene ; and the 
Persians, falling upon each other without distinction, rather assisted 
the Grecians than defended themselves. Thus success seemed to 
crown the rashness of their enterprize, until the morning begin- 
ning to dawn, the light discovered the smallness of their numbers. 
They were then soon surrounded by the Persian forces, who fearing 
to fall in upon them, flung their javelins from every quarter, till the 
Greeks^ not so much conquered as tired with conquering, fell 



GRECIAN states: '2S» 

amidst Heaps of the slaughtered enemy, leaving^ behind them an 
example of intrepidity never known before. Leonidas was one of 
the first that fell, and the endeavours of the Lacedaemonians to 
defend his dead body were incredible. Of all the train, two only 
escaped, who were treated with contempt and infamy. 

The loss of Xerxes in this battle was said to amount to twenty 
thousand men, among whom were two of his brothers. Xerxes, 
therefore, dismayed at an obstinacy that cost him so dear, was for 
some time more inclined to try his fortune at sea, than to proceed 
immediately into the country, where he was informed, eig-lit thou- 
sand Spartans, such as he had but lately foUght with, were ready 
to receive him. Accordingly, the very day of the battle of Ther- 
mopylae, there was an engagement at sea between the two fleets. 
The Grecian fleet consisted of two hundred and seventy-one vessels,: 
tliat of the enemy had lately lost fox&t hundred vessels in a ship- 
wreck, but were still greatly superior to the Grecian fleet. 

Xerxes, to repair his loss by a victory, ordered two hundred 
Persian vessels to take a compass, and surprise the Grecians lying 
in the straits ofEubsea; but the Grecians, being apprised of their 
designs, set sail by night, and so, by a counter surprise, fell in 
with them while they w^re thus separated from the main body, 
took and sunk thirty, forced the rest to sea, and there, by stress 
of weather, they were all soon after sunk or stranded. Enraged 
at these disappointments, the Persians bore down the next day 
with the whole fleet, and drawing up in form of an half-moon, made 
an oflTer of battle, which the Greeks as readily accepted. The Athe- 
nians having been reinforced with three and fifty sail, the battle was 
very obstinate and bloody, and the success pretty near equal on 
both sides, so that both parties seemed: content to retire in good 
order. 

After this, Xerxes, having entered the country of Phoci« with his 
numerous army, plundered and burned every town through v/hich 
he passed. Having sent off" a considerable detachment to plun- 
der the temple at Delphos, with the rest he marched down into 
Attica, where he found Athens deserted by all but a few in the cit* 
adel. These men despairing of succour, and unwilling to survive 
the loss of their country, would listen to no terms of accommoda- 
tions they boldly withstood the first assault, and, warmed by the 
enthusiasm of religion began to hope for success. However a se« 
cond assault carried their feeble outworks, they were all put to tlie 
sword, and the citadel reduced to ashes. 

In the mean time, the confederate Greeks determined in coun- 
cil, that they should prepare to receive the Persians on the isth- 
mus by land, and in the straits ot Salamais by sea. Xerxes, after 
having demolished and burned Athens, marched down towards the 
sea, to act in conjunction with his fleet, which he had determined 
should once more come to an engagement with the enemy. The 
Grecian fleet consisted of three hundred and eighty ships, the Per- 
sian fleet was much more numerous ; but whatever advantage they 
kad in numbersj and the size of their slupsj they f^U infinitely short 



30 THE HISTORY OF THE 

of the Greeks in their naval skill, and their acquaintance witk 
the seas where they fought. 

Themistocles, watching- a favourable opportunity, g-ave the sig- 
nal for battle, when the Grecian fleet sailed forward, in exact 
order. Xerxes, imputing his former ill success at sea to his own 
absence, was resolved to be a -witness of the present engagement 
from the top of a promontory, where he caused a throne to be 
©reeled for that purpose. The Persians, therefore, advanced with 
auch courage and impetuosity, as struck the enemy with terror ; 
but their ardor abated when the engagement became closer. 
The numerous disadvantages of their circumstances then began to 
appear : the wind blew directly in their faces ; the height and 
heaviness of their vessels made them unwieldy and useless; even 
the number of their ships, in the narrow seas where they fought, 
only served to embarrass aijd increase their confusion. The lonians 
first gave way, then the Phoenicians, and Cyprians, when the rest 
retired in great disorder, and fell foul of eac^i other in their retreat. 
The Greeks pursued the Persian fleet on every side ; some were 
intercepted at the straits of Attica, many were sunk, and more 
taken. Above two hundred were burnt, all the rest were dis- 
persed ; and the allies, dreading the resentment of the Greeks, as 
well as of the Persian king, made the best of their way to their own 
country. Such was the success of the battle of Salamais, in wliich 
the Persians received a severer blow than they had ever before 
experienced from Greece. 

Xerxes being heartily tired of this disgraceful businees, left his 
g-enerals to take care of his army, and hastened with a small retinue 
to the sea-side, which he reached in forty-five days after the battle 
of Salamais. When he arrived at that place, he found the bridge 
brc^en down by the violence of the waves, in a tempest that had 
lately happened. He was, therefore, obliged to pass the strait in 
a small boat ; which manner of returning, being compared with 
the ostentatious method in which he had set out, rendered his dis- 
grace still more poignant and afflicting. The army, which he had 
•rdered to follow him, having been unprovided with provisions, 
{suifered great hardships by the way. After having consumed all 
the corn they could find, they were obliged to live upon herbs, and 
even upon the bark and leaves of trees. Thus harrassed and fa- 
tig"ued, a pestilence began to complete their misery ; and, after 
a fatiguing journey of forty-five days, in which they were pursued 
rather by vultures and beasts of prey, than by men, they came to 
the Hellespont, where they crossed over, and marched from thence 
to Sardis. Such was the end of Xerxes's expedition into Greece : 
a measure began in pride, and tejrminated in infamy and disgrace. 



GRECIAN STATES 31 



CHAP. V. 



1 HE joy of the Greeks, on the victory of Salamais, was general 
and loud, and Themistocles was loaded with glory. Mardonius, 
whom Xerxes had left in Greece with a numerous army, was 
soon after killed in battle, and all his forces completely routed. 
Thus ended the invasion of Greece, nor ever after was the Per- 
sian army seen to cross the Hellespont.— During- these events, 
Xerxes lay at Sardis, expecting a reversion of his fortune ; but 
messengers coming every hour, loaded with the news of some 
fatal disaster, and finding himself unable to retrieve his affairs, he 
retired furtlier into the country, and endeavoured to drown in 
luxury and riot the uneasy reflections of his successless ambition. 
To the want of success abroad was added the contempt of his 
subjects at home ; and this brought on a train of treasonSj insur- 
rections, sacrilege, murder, incest and cruelty ; so that the latter 
part of bis reign was as scandalous as the first part of it had been 
unfortunate. 

The state of Athens, being thus in a great measure freed from 
its fears of a foreign enemy, began to cherish intestine animosities, 
and its citizens laboured with every art to supplant each other in 
aiming at places of trust and authority. But the conduct of Aria- 
tides, in the'discharge of his duty on all occasions, confirmed the 
great opinion mankind had formed of his integrity. 

Aristides presided over the treasury with the care of a father o- 
ver his family, and the caution of a miser over what he holds dearer 
than his life. No man complained of his administration, and no 
part of the public money was exhausted in vain. He, who thus 
contributed to make government rich, was himself poor j and so 
far was he from being ashamed of poverty, that he considered it as 
glorious to him as all the victories he had won. Aristides asserted 
that he only might be said to want, who permitted his appetites to 
transgress the bounds of his income ; and that he, who could dis- 
pense with a few things, thus rendered himself more like the gods 
who want nothing. 

Thus he lived, just in his public and independent in his private 
character. His house was a public school for virtue, and was open 
to all young Athenians who sought wisdom, or were ambitious of 
power. He gave them the kindest reception, heard them with 
patience, instructed them with familiarity, and endeavoured, above 
all things, to give them a just value for themselves. History docs 
not mention the exact time or place of his death ; but it pays the 
most glorious testimony to his disinterested character, in telling' 
us, that he who had the absolute disposal of all the public trea- 
sures died poor. It is even asserted, that he did not leave money 
enough behind him to pay the expenses of his funeral, but that 
the government was obliged to bear the charge of it, and to maiq° 
tain his family. His daught^y^ w§l'§ married, and his son subsisted 



32 tHE HISTORY OF Tut 

at the expense of the public ; and some of his grandchildren 
were supported by a pension, equal to that which such received, 
who had been victorious at the Olympic games. But the greatest 
honour that his countrymen paid to his memory, was in giving him 
the title of Just, a character far superior to all the empty titles of 
wisdom or conquest ; since fortune or accident may confer wisdom' 
or valour, but the virtues of morality are solely of our own making. 

About the year of the world 3572, a rupture happened between 
the Athenians and the Lacedemonians ; and thus the Grecian. 
states,having now no foreign enemy to disturb them,began to harrass 
and depopulate each other. But a more terrible punishment now 
began to threaten them from nature 5 a plague broke out in the city 
of Athens, a more terrible one than which is scarcely recorded in 
the annals of history. It is related, that it began in Ethiopia, 
from thence descended into Egypt, then travelled into Lybia and 
Persia, and at last broke out like a flood upon Athens. This pes- 
tilence baffled the utmost efforts of art ;. the most robust constitu- 
tions were unable to withstand its attacks ; no skill could obviate, 
nor no remedy dispel the terrible infection. The instant a person 
was seized, he was struck with despair, which quite disabled him 
from attempting a cure. The hunfianity of friends was as fatal to 
themselves, as it was ineffectual to the unhappy sufferers. Most 
of the inhabitants, for want of lodging, lived in little cottages, in 
which they could scarce breathe, while the burning heat of the 
summer increased the pestilential malignity. They were seen 
confusedly huddled together, the dead as well as the dying ; some 
crawling through the streets, some lying along by the sides of.' 
fountains, whither they had endeavored to repair, to quench the 
raging thirst that consumed them. Their very temples were filled 
with dead bodies, and every part of the city exhibited a dreadful 
scene of mortality, without the least remedy for the present, or the 
least hopes with regard to futurity. It seized the people with such 
violence, that they fell one upon another as they passed along the 
streets. It was also attended with such uncommon pestilential 
vapours, that the very beasts and birds of prey, though famishing 
round the walls of the city, would not touch the bodies of those 
who died of it. Even in those who recovered, it left such a tinc- 
ture of its malignity, that it struck upon their senses. It effaced 
the memory of all the passages of their former lives, and they 
knew neither themselves nor their nearest relations. Such was 
the effects of this dreadful pestilence ; but of the manner in which 
it ended, and of the numbers destroyed by it, we have no cettain 
account . 

We shall now pass ove» the particulars of the Peloponnesiau 
war, as they afford only a wretched scene of the citizens of one 
Grecian state staining their hands with the blood of others ; but 
we shall be more particular in mentioning the actions and charac- 
ter of those heroes and philosophers, who flourished during thatt 
period. Among tliese, Pericles formed no inconsiderable charac- 
ter. He was descended from the greatest and in9gt iUustnotis 



GRECIAN STATES. W~ 

families of Athens ; his father, Xanthippus, defeated the Persians 
at Mycale, and his mother, Ag-arista, was niece to Calisthenes, who 
expelled the tyrants, and established a popular government in A- 
thens. He had early thoughts of rising in the state, and took les- 
ions from Anaxagoras, in the philosophy of nature. He studied 
politics with great assiduity, but particularly devoted himself to 
eloquence, which, in a popular state, he considered as the fountain 
of all promotion. His studies were crowned with success ; and 
the poets, his contemporaries, affirm, that his eloquence was so 
powerful, that, like thunder, he shook and astonished all Greece. 
He had the art of uniting force and beauty ; there was no resist- 
ing the strength of his arguments, or the sweetness of his delivery. 
Thucydides, his great opponent, was often heard to say, that 
though he had often overthrown him, the power of his persuasion 
was such, that the audience could never perceive him fallen. 

To this eloquence he added also a thorough insight into human 
nature, as well as a perfect acquaintance with the disposition of his 
auditors. It was a constant saying with him to himself '* Remem- 
ber, Pericles, thou art going to speak to men born in the arms of 
Liberty, and do thou care to flatter them in their ruling passion." 
He resembled the tyrant Pisistratus, not only in the sweetness of 
his voice, but the features of his face, and his whole air and man- 
nerj To these natural and acquired graces, he added those of 
fortune ; he was very rich, and had an extensive alliance with a^ 
the most powerful families of the state. 

The death of Aristides and some other favorable circumstances, 
gave opportunities to his growing ambition : yet he at first con,« 
cealed his designs with the most cautious reserve, till finding the 
people encrease in his interest, he set himself at their head, and 
opposed the principal men of the state with great appearance of 
disinterested virtue. The chief obstacle of his rise was Cimon, 
whose candour and liberality had gained him a numerous party of 
ail ranks and denominations. In opposition to him, Pericles called 
in popular assistance, and by expending the public money in bribes, 
largesses, and other distributions, he easily gained the multitude 
to espouse his interests. 

Having thus laid a secure foundation in popularity, he next 
struck at the council of the Ai'eopagus, which was composed of the 
most respectable persons of all Athens ; and, by the assistance of 
one Ephialtes, another popvdar champion, he drew away most 
causes from the cognizance of that court, and brought the whole 
order into contempf In this manner, while Cimon was permitted 
to conduct the war abroad, he managed all the supplies at home ; 
and, as it was his interest to keep Cimon at a distance, he took 
care to provide him with a sufficiency of foreign employment. 

Pericles every day gained new ground, till he at last found him- 
self possessed of the authority of the whole state. It was then 
tliat he began to change his behaviour, and from acting tlie hum.- 
ble and fawning suppliant, he assumed the haughty airs of royalty. 
He now no longer submitted himself to the caprice of the people, 



34 THE HISTORY OF THE 

but chaag'ed the democratic state of Athens into a kind of moa- 
archy, without departing, however, from the public good. He 
would sometimes, indeed, win his fellow-citizens over to his will -; 
but at other times, when he found them obstinate, he would in a 
manner compel them to consult their own interests. — Thus be- 
tween power and pursuasion, public profusion, and private oeconomy, 
political falsehoods, and private integ-rity, Pericles became the 
principal ruler at Athens, and all such as were his enemies became 
the enemies of the state. 

Fickleness and inconstancy, however, were the prevailing char- 
acters of the Athenians ; and, as these carried them on to their 
g-reatest excesses, they soon brought them back within the bounds 
of moderation and prudence. Pericles had long been a favourite, 
but the state having suffered great calamities, he at last came to be 
obnoxious : they had deposed him from the command of the army ; 
but soon repented of their rashness, and reinstated him, a short 
time after, with more than former authority. — However, he did not 
live long to enjoy his honours. He was seized with the plague, 
which, like a malignant enemy, struck its severest blow at parting. 
Being extremely ill, and ready to breathe his lastj the principal 
citizens, and such of his friends that had not forsaken him, dis- 
coursing concerning the loss they were about to sustain, ran over 
bis exploits, and computed the number of his victories. They did 
not imagine that Pericles attended to what they said, as he seemed 
insensible ; but it was far otherwise, as not a single word of their 
discourse had escaped him. At last, cried he, " Why will you ex- 
tol a series of actions, in which Fortune had the greatest part ? 
There is one circumstance which I would not have forgotten, yet 
which you have passed over : I could wish to have it remembered, 
as the most glorious circumstance of my life, that I never yet caused 
a single citizen to put on mourning." Thus died Pericles, in whom 
were united a number of excellent qualities without impairing each 
other. He was as well skilled in naval affairs as in the conduct of 
armies ; as well skilled in the arts of raising money as of employing 
it ; eloquent in public, and pleasing in private ; he was a patron 
of artists, at once informing them by his taste and example. 

Not long after the death of Pericles, the Athenians and Lace- 
daemonians made peace, and every thing now promised a restora- 
tion of former tranquillity ; but a new promoter of troubles was 
now beginning to make his appearance, and from him those who 
wished for peace had every thing to fear : this was the celebrated 
Alcibiades, the disciple of Socrates, a youth equally remarkable 
for the beauty of his person, and the graces of his mental accom- 
plisiiments. 

The strict intimacy between Alcibiades and Socrates is one of the 
most remarkable circumstances of his life. This* philosopher ob- 
serving excellent natural qualities in him, which were greatly 
heightened by the beauty of his person^ bestowed incredible pains 
in cultivating so valuable a plant, lest, being neglected, it should 
wither as it grew, and in the-end degenerate. Alcibiades/ indeed. 



GRECIAN STATES, 35 

was exposed to numberless dangers : tlie greatness of his extrac- 
tion, his vast riches, the authority of his family, the credit of his 
g-uardianSj his personal talents, and, still more than these, the flat- 
tery and complaisance of all who approached him. 

Notwithstanding the strong endeavours that were used to divert 
this young Athenian from a correspondence, which alone was ca- 
pable of securing him from so many snares, he devoted himself 
entirely to it. He had the most unbounded wit ; he was fully sen- 
sible of Socrates' extraordinary merit, and could not res'st the 
charms of his sweetly insinuating eloquence, which at that time, 
had a greater ascendant over him than the allurements of pleasure. 
He was so zealous a disciple of that great master, that he followed 
him wherever he went, took the utmost delight in his conversation, 
received his instructions, and even his reprimands, with wonderful 
docility, and was so moved with his discourses, as even to shed 
tears, and abhor himself : so weighty was the force of truth in the 
mouth of Socrates, and in so odious a light did he show the vices, 
to which Alcibiades began to abandon himself. 

Alcibiades, in those moments when he listened to Socrates, dif- 
fered so much from himself, that he appeared quite another man. 
However, his headstrong fiery temper, and his natural fondness 
for pleasure, which was heightened and enfiamed by the discoursed 
and advices of young people, soon plunged him into his former ir- 
regularities, and tore him as it were from his master, who was 
obliged to pursue him as a slave who had escaped correction. This 
vicissitude of flights and returns of virtuous resolutions, and re- 
lapses into vice, continued a long time ; but still Socrates was not 
disgusted with his levity, and always flattered himself with the 
hopes of bringing him back to his duty. Hence certainly arose the 
strong mixture of good and evil that always appeared in his con- 
duct, the instructioes his master had given him sometimes prevail- 
ing, and, at other times, the fire of his passion hurrying him, in a, 
manner, againgthisovirn will, into things of a quite opposite nature. 
Among the various passions that were discovered in him, the 
strongest and most prevailing was a haughty turn of mind, which 
would force all things to submit to it, and could not bear a superiorj 
er even an equal. 

Alcibiades, with such a cast of mind as we have described, was 
not born for repose, and had set every engine at work to reverse 
the treaty lately concluded between the Athenians and Lacedaemo- 
nians. He was disgtisted with the latter, because they directed 
themselves only to Nicias, of whom they had a very high opinion j 
and, on the coutrary, seemed to take no manner of notice of bi^, 
though his ancestors had enjoyed the rights of hospitality among 
them. 

Having found means to carry his point against the Lacedaemo- 
nians, he was declared general, and appointed to command the 
fleet i but was soon afterwards disgraced. After having experi- 
enced strange vicissitudes of fortune, being sometimes banished or 
condemned to death by the Athenians. »t other times at the heai 



S6 THE HISTORY OF THE 

of their fleets and armies, he at last took shelter at the court ©f 
Persia, where the Lacedsemonians found means to persuade that 
monarch to dispatch him. Al'cibiades was then in a small town in 
Phrygia, where he lived with his concubine Timandra. Those who 
were sent to kill him, not daring to enter bis house, contented 
themselves with surrounding and setting it on fire. Alcibiades 
having quitted it through the flames, sword in hand, the barbarians 
were afraid to stay to come to blows with him, but flying and re- 
treating as he advanced, they poured their darts and arrows upon 
him from a distance, and he fell dead upon the spot. Ti- 
mandra took up his body, and having adorned and covered it with 
the finest robes she had, she made as magnificent a funeral for it 
as her condition would admit. 

Such was the end of Alcibiades, whose great virtues were stifled 
and suppressed by still greater vices. It is not easy to say, whether 
his good or bad qualities were most pernicious to his country ; for 
with the one he deceived, and with the other he oppressed it. In 
him distinguished valour was united with nobility of blood. He 
was eloquent, of great ability in affairs, insinuating, and formed for 
charming all mankind. He loved glory, but Indulged at the same 
time, his inclination for pleasure : nor was he so fond of pleasure, 
as to neglect his glory for it. He knew how to give into, or ab- 
stract himself from, the allurements of luxury, according to the sit- 
uation of his affairs. Never was there ductility of genius equal to 
bis : he metamorphosed himself with incredible facility, into the 
most contrary forms, and supported them all with as much ease 
and grace as if eacli had been natural to him. 

The death of Alcibiades naturally leads us to give the character 
of his master, one of the greatest philosophers that the world per- 
haps ever produced, the immortal Socrates. He was the son of an 
obscure citizen of Athens, and, emerging from the meanness of his 
birth, he gave astonishing examples of courage, moderation and 
wisdom. He opposed the power of the thirty tyrants, who had 
usurped the government of Athens, and spoke loudly against the 
Tiigotiy and persecution of the times. He possesed unexampled 
good-nature, and an universal love to mankind. As it was very 
difllicult to correct the aged, and to make people change principles, 
who revere the errors in which they are grown grey, he devoted 
his labours principally to the instruction of youth, in order to sow 
the seeds of virtue in a soil more fit to produce the fruits qf it. He 
had no open school like the rest of the philosophers, nor set times 
for his lessons. He had do benches prepared, nor even mounted a 
J>rofessor*s chair ; he wa& the philosopher of all times and seasons ; 
he taught in all places, and upon all occasions ; in walking, conver- 
sation at meals, in the army, and in the midst of the camp, in the 
public assembly of the senate or people. Such was the man, whom a 
faction in the city had long devoted to de&truction : he had been, for 
many years before his death, the object of their satiref and ridicule. 

Aristophanes, the comic poet, was engaged to expose him qn 
the sta^e : he composed a piece called The Clouds, wherein He 



GRECIAN STATES. Sr 

introduced the philosopher in a basket, uttering- the most ridicu- 
lous absurdities. This was the first blow struck at him ; but it 
was not till twenty years &fterwar*3 that Melitus appeared in a 
more formal manner as his accuser, and entered a regular process 
ag-ainst him. His accusation consisted of two heads : the first was, 
that he did not admit the gods acknowledged by the republic, and 
introduced new divinities ; the second, that he corrupted the 
youth of Athens ; and concluded with inferring, that sentence of 
death ought to be piassed against him. How far the whole charge 
affected him is not easy to determine : It is certain, that amid so 
much zeal and superstition as then reigned in Athens, he never 
dared openly to oppose the received religion, and was therefore 
forced to preserve an outward shew of it ; but it is very probable, 
from the discourses he frequently held with his friends, that in his 
heart he despised and laughed at their monstrous opinions and ridi- 
ciiious mysteries, as having no other foundation than the fables of 
the poets ; and that he had attained to the notion of the one only 
true God, insomuih that, upon the account both of his belief of the 
Deity, and the exemplariness of his life, some have thought fit to 
rank him among the Christian philosophers. 

Upon the day assigned, the proceedings commenced in tlie usual 
forms, the parties appeared before the judges, and Melitus spoke. 
The worse his cause, and the less it was provided with proofs, the 
fhc-re occasion he had for address and art to cover its weakness. 
Ke omitted nothing that r/}ight render Socrates odious; and in- 
stead of reasons, which could not but fail him, he substituted the 
delusive glitter of a lively and pompous eloquence. Socrates' de- 
fence is considered as so great a masterpiece of ancient oratory, that 
even the narrow limits this work is confined to, will not permit of 
our passing it over in silence. 

'* I am accused (said Socrates) of corrupting the youth, and of 
instilling dangerous maxims into them, as well in regard to the 
worship of the gods, as the rules ©f government. You know, 
Athenians, that I never made it my profession to teach, nor can 
envvt however violent ag-ainst me, x-eproach me with having sold my 
instructions. I have an undeniable evidence for me in this respect, 
which is my poverty. I was jJways equally ready to communicate 
my thoughts either to the rich or poor, and to give them entire 
leisure to question or answer me, My whole employment is to per- 
suade the young and old against too much love for the body, for 
riches, all other precarious things, of whatsoever nature they be^ 
and against too little regard for the soul, which ought to be the ob- 
ject of their aiFection ; for I incessantly urge upon you, that virtue 
does not proceed from riches, but, on the contrary, riches from vir- 
tue ; and that all the other goods of human life, as well public as 
private, have their source in the same principle. 

_ *' If to speak in this manner be to corrupt youth, I confess, Athe- 
nians, that I am guilty, and deserve to be punished. If what I say 
be not true, it is most easy to convict me of my falsehoods. I see 
hiere a great number of my disciples : they have only to appear. 



38 THE HISTORY OF THE 

But, perhaps, the reserve and consideration for a master Who has 
instructed them, will prevent them from declaring against me ; at 
least, their fathers, brothers, aiid uncles, cannot, as good relations 
and good citizens, dispense with their not standing forth to de- 
mand vengeance against the corrupter of their sons, brothers, and 
nephews. But these are the persons who take upon them my de- 
fence, and interest themselves in the success of my cause. 

*' Pass on me what sentence you please, Athenians: but I can 
neither repeiit nor change my conduct : I must not abandon or sus- 
pend a function, which God himself has imposed on me. If, after 
having faithfully kept all the posts wherein I was placed by our 
g-eneral at Potidaea, Amphipolis, and Delium, the fear of death 
should at this time make me abandon that, in which the divine 
Providence has placed me, by commanding me to pass my life in 
the study of philosophy, for the instruction of myself and others ; 
this would be a most criminal desertion indeed, and make me highly 
worthy of being cited before this tribunal as an impious man, who 
does not believe the gods. Should you resolve to acquit me, for 
the future, I should not hesitate to make answer, Athenians, I 
honour and love you, but I shall choose rather to obey God than 
you, and to my latest breath shall never renounce my philosophy, 
nor cease to exhort and reprove you, according to my custom, by 
telling each of you, when you come in my way. My good friend 
and citizen of the most famous city in the world for wisdom and 
valour, are you not ashamed to have no other thoughts than that 
of amassing wealth, and of acquiring glory, credit, and dignities, 
whilst you neglect the treasures of prudence, truth, and wisdom, 
and take no pains in rendering your soul as good and perfect as it 
is capable of being. 

** I am reproached with abject fear and meannesrs of spirit, for 
being so busy in imparting my advice to every one in private and 
for having avoided to be present in your assemblies to give my coun- 
sel to my country. I think I have sufficiently proved my courage 
and fortitude, both in the field, where I have borne arms with you, 
and in the senate when I opposed the violence and cruel orders of 
the thirty tyrants. 

*' For the rest, Athenians, if, in the extreme danger I now am, 
I do not imitate the behaviour of those, who, upon less emergencies, 
have implored and supplicated their judges with tears, and have 
brought forth their children, relations, and friends, it is not through 
pride and obstinacy, or any contempt for you, but s olely for your 
honour, and'Tor that of the whole city. You should know, that 
there are imong our citizens those, who do not regard death as an 
evil, and v='ho give that name only to injustice and infamy. At my 
age, and wita the reputation, true or false, which I have, would it 
be consistent for to<. . after all the lessons I have given upon the 
contempt of death, to b'- afraid of it myself, and to belie in my last 
actions all the prmciples and sentiments of my past life I 

*' But V, ithout spe;i!ving of my fame, which I should extremely 
Irgure by such a conduct, I do not think It allowable to intreat a 



GRECIAN STATES. 39 

■judge, nor to be absolved by supplications.- He ought to be per- 
suaded and convinced. The judge does not sit upon the bench to 
shew favour, by violating the laws ; but to do justice in conforming 
to them. He does not swear to discharge with impunity whom he 
pleases, but to do justice wliere it is due. "We ought not, there- 
fore, to accustom you to perjury, nor you to suiFer yourselves to be 
accustomed to it ; for, in so doing, both the one and the other of 
us equally injure justice and religion, and both are criminals. 

" Do not, therefore, expect from me, Athenians, that I should 
have recourse among you to means, which 1 believe neither honest 
nor lawful ; especially upon this occasion, wherein I am accused of 
impiety by Melitus ; for, if I should influence you by my prayers, 
and thereby induce you to violate your oaths, it would be unde? 
niably evident, that I teach you not to believe in the gods ; and 
even in defending and justifying myself, I. should furnish my ad- 
versaries with arms against me, and prove that I believe no divini- 
ty. But I am very far fi-om such bad thoughts : I am more convinced 
of the existence of God than my accusers ; and so convinced, that 
I abandon myself to God and you, that you may judge of me as you 
shall deem best for yourselves." 

Socrates pronounced this discourse with a firm and intrepid 
tone : his air, his action, his visage, expressed nothing of the ac- 
cused ; he seemed the master of his judges, from the assurance 
and greatness of his soul with which he spoke, without however 
losing any thing of the modesty natural to him. But how slight 
soever the proofs were against him, the faction v/as powerful 
enough to find him guilty, and his death was certainly a concerted 
thing. 

By his first sentence, the judges only declared Socrates guilty ; 
but when, by his answer, he appeared to appeal from their tribunal 
to that of justice and posterity ; when, instead of confessing him- 
self guilty, he demanded rewards and honour from the state, the 
judges were so very much offended, that they condemned him to 
drink hemlock, a method of execution in use among them. 

Socrates received this sentence with the utmost composure. 
Apollodorus, one of his disciples, launching out into bitter invec- 
tives, and lamenting that his master should die hmocent ; " What, 
(replied Socrates, with a smile,) would you have me die guilty? 
Melitus and Ayntus may kill, but they cannot hurt me." 

After his sentence, he still continued with the same serene and 
intrepid aspect, with which he had long enforced virtue, and held 
tyrants in awe. When he entered his prison, which now became 
the residence of virtue and probity, his friends followed him thither, 
and continued to visit him during the interval between his con- 
demnation and desth, which lasted for thirty days. 

The day before the death of Socrates, Crito, his intimate friend, 
went to him early in the morning to let him know, that it depended 
only on himself to quit the prisOn ; that the jailor was gained ; that 
he would find the doors open, and offered him a safe retreat in 
Thessaly, Socrates laug-hed at his proposal, and answered, that 



40 THE HISTORY OF THE 

he reverenced the laws of his country, and resolved to obey them 
in all things, even in his death. 

Socrates employed the last day of his life in entertaining* his 
friends on the great and important subject of death ; he explained 
to them all the arguments for believing the soul to be immortal, 
and refuted all the objections against it. After he came out ©f the 
bath, his children were brought to him, for he had three, two very 
little, and the other grown up. He spoke to them for some time, 
gave orders to the women who took care of them, and then dis- 
missed them. Being returned into his chamber, he laid himself 
down upon his bed. 

The keeper of the prison entered at the same instant, and hav- 
-ing informed him, that the time for drinking the hemlock was 
come, which was at sun set, tlie keeper was so much afflicted with 
sorrow, that he turned his back and fell a weeping. The fatal cup, 
however, was at last brought, and Socrates asked v/hat it was ne- 
cessary for him to do. " Nothing more (replied the officer) than 
as soon as you have drank off the draugiit, to walk about till you 
find your legs grow weary, and aftervv^ards to lie down upon your 
bed." He took the cup without any emotion, or change in his 
colour or countenance, and regarding the man with a steady and 
assured look, '* Well, (said he) what say you of this drink : may 
one make a libation out of it ?" Upon being told, there was only 
enough for one dose, " At least, (continued he) we may say ouf 
prayers to the gods, as it is our duty, and implore them to make 
our exit from this world, and our last stage happy, which is what I 
most earnestly beg of them." After having spoken these words, 
he kept silence for some time, and then drank off the whole draught 
with an amazing tranquillity and serenity of aspect, not to be ex- 
pressed or conceived. 

Till then his friends, with great violence to themselves, had re- 
frained from tears ; but after he had drank the potion, they were 
no longer their own masters, and wept abundantly. ApoUodorus, 
who had been in tears during almost the whole conversation, began 
then to raise great cries, and to lament vi^ith such excessive grief, 
as pierced the hearts of all that were present. Socrates alone re- 
mained unmoved, and even reproved his friends, though with his 
usual mildness and good nature. *' Whatj are you doing ? (said he 
to them) Oh ! what is become of your virtue ! Was it not for this 
I sent away the women, that they might not fall into these weak- 
nesses ? I have always heard you say, that we ought to die peace- 
ably, and blessing the gods. Be at ease, I beg you, and shew more 
constancy and resolution." He then obliged them to restrain their 
tears. 

In the mean time he kept walking to and fro ; and when he found 
his legs grow weary, he laid down upon his bed, as he had been 
directed. The poison then operated more and more. When So- 
crates found it began to gain upon the heart, uncovering his face, 
which had been covered, without doubt, to prevent any thing from 
disturbing him in his last moments, " Crito, (said he) we owe a 



GRECIAN STATES. 41 

6^ock to iEsculapius : discharge that vow for me, and pray do not 
forget it." Soon after this he breathed his last. Crito went to his 
body, and closed his mouth and eyes. Sach was the end of Socra- 
tes, in the first year of the ninety-fifth Olympiad, and in the sev- 
entieth of his age. 

It was not till some time after the death of this great raan, that 
the people of Athens perceived their mistake, and began to repent 
of it. Their hatred being satisfied, their prejudices expired, and 
time having given them an opportunity for reflection, the notorious 
injustice of the sentence appeared in all its horrors. Nothing 
was heard throughout the city but discourses in favour of Socrates. 
The Academy, the Lycaeum, private houses, public walks/ and 
market-places, seemed still to re-echo the sound of his loved voice. 
" Here (^said they) he formed our youth, and taught our children to 
love their country, and to honour their parents. In this place he 
g'ave us his admirable lessons, and sometimes made us seasonable 
reproaches, to engage us more warmly in the pursuit of virtue. 
Alas ! how have we rewarded him for such important services !" 
Athens was in ujiiversal mourning and consternation. The schools 
were shut up, and all exercises suspended. His accusers were 
called to account for the innoiient blood they had caused to be 
shed : Melitus was condemned to die, and the rest banished, Plu- 
tarch observes, that all those, who had any share in this black ca- 
lumny were held in such abomination among the citizens, that no 
one would give them fire, answer them any question, nor go into 
the same bath with them ; and they had the place cleaned where 
they had bathed, lest they should be polluted by touching it, w^hicli 
drove them into such despair, that many of them killed themselves. 
The Athenians, not contented with having punished his accusers, 
caused a statue of brass to be erected to him, of the workmanship 
of the celebrated Lysippus, who placed it in one of the most con- 
spicuous parts of the city. Their respect and gratitude rose even 
to a religious veneration : they dedicated a chapel to him, as to a 
kero and demi-god, which they called the chapel of Socrates. 



CHAP. VL 

1 HE Athenians had hitherto taken the lead in the Grecian states > 
but the Spartans, who had completely Conquered them, became 
their masters, and sunk them into obscurity. 

At this period, Agesilaus, who was chosen king of Sparta, was 
sent into Asia with an army, under pretence of freeing the Greciaji 
cities. He gained a signal victory over the Persian general Tis- 
saphernes, near the river Pactoclus, where he forced the enemy's 
camp, and found considerable plunder. This success iriduced the 
Persian monarch, instead of meeting Agesilaus openly in the field, 
to subvert his interest among the Grecian states by the power of 

D 2 



4» THE HISTORY OF THE 

bribery ; and indeed this confederacy was now so weakened, its 
concord and unanimity so totally destroyed, that they were open to 
every offer. The love of money was now rooted in their affections, 
and the Spartans were the only people that, for a while, seemed to 
disdain it ; but the contagion still spreading-, even they at last yielded 
to its allurements, and every man sought private emolument with- 
out attending" to the good of his country. 

The Spartans, however, beir.g freed from the terror of foreign 
enemies, procef^ded to spread terror among the petty states of 
Greece, whom they compelled to pay obedience to their will. 
These proceedings of the Spartans, however, gave birth to a pow- 
erful confederacy against theru ; and, through a succession of en- 
g-agements, both by sea and land, the Spartans grew every day 
weaker, and their enemies more daring. 

It soon began to appear, that the Thebans, one of the states of 
Greece, lately oppressed by the Spartans, were grov/ing into pow- 
er ; and, while Sparta and Athens w^ere weakening each other by 
mutual contests, this state, which had enjoyed all the emoluments, 
without any of the expenses of the war, was every day growing 
more vigotu'ous and independent. The Thebans, who now began 
to take the lead in the affairs of Greece, v/ere naturally a hardy 
and robust people, of slow initellects, and strong constitutions. It 
was a constant maxim v/ith them, to side eitlier with Athens 
©r Sparta in their mutual contests, and which soever they in*, 
elined to, they were generally of weight enough to turn the bal- 
ance. However, they had liitherto made no other use of tliat 
v/eight than to secure themselves ; but the spirit which now ap- 
psai'ed among them was hrst implanted by Pelobidas, their deliv- 
erer from the Spartan yoke ; but still further carried to itsutmost 
height hj Epaminondas, v/ho now beg-an to figure in the airairs of 
<&reece. 

Epaminondas was one of those few exalted chai-'acters, w]u)have. 
scarce any vice, and almost every virtue to distinguisli tl'em from 
the rest of mankind. Though in the beginnings posse!ssed <;f eve- 
ry quality necessary for the service of the state, he chose to lead 
a, private life, employed in the s lady of philosophy, and shewing 
an example of the most rigid obseiwance of all its doctrines. Truly 
a philosopher, and poor out of taste, he despised riches, without 
affecting any reputation from that contempt ; and, if Justin may 
be credited, he coveted glory as little as he did money. It was 
always against his will that commands were conferred upon him ; ~ 
and he behaved himself, when invested with them, in such a man- 
ner as did more honour to dignities, than dignities did to him. 
Fond of leisure, which he devoted to the study of philoso])hy, he 
shunned public employments, and made no interest but to be ex- 
cluded from them. His moderation concealed him so v.ell that 
he lived obscure and almost unknown, ilis merit, however, dis- 
covered him at last. He was taken from bis solitude by force, to 
be placed at the head of armies ; and he demonstrated, that phi- 
losophy, though generally held in contempt with those who aspire 



GRECIAN STATES. 43 

at the glory of arms, is wonderfully useful in forming- heroes ; for 
it was, in his opinion, a. great advance towards conqaeririg- an ene- 
my, to know hovi^ to conquer ourselves. 

Such was the general appointed to command tlie Theban army, 
and act in conjunction with Pelopidas. The Tiiebans, being- left 
out in the general treaty of peace, and thus having- the Spartans 
and Athenians against thern, t;;ey appeared under the utmost con- 
sternation, and all Greece looked upon tiiem as lost and undone. 
Nothing now remairjed on both sides but to prepare for action. 
Epaminondas immediately raised all the troops he could, ahd be- 
gan his march : but his army did not amount to six thousand men, 
while the enemy had above four times that number. 

The two armies rnet at Leuctra, and drew up on a plain. Cle- 
ombrotus was upon the right, at the head of a body consisting 
of LacedsemonianSj in whom he confided most, and whose fJes 
wei'e twelve deep, to take the advantage, which his superiority of 
horse gave him in an open country. Archidamus, the son of Age- 
silaus, v/as at the head of the allies, who formed t'he left wing. 

Epaminondas, who resolved to charge with his left, which he 
commanded in person, strengthened it with the choice of Ids heavy 
armed troops, whom he drew up fifty deep ; the sacred battalion 
was upon his left, and closed the wing ; the rest of his infantry 
were posted upon his riglit, in an oblique line, which, the fartlier 
it extended, v/as the more distant from the enemy. By this un- 
common disposition, his design was to cover his i5ank on the right; 
to keep oif his right wing, as a kind of reserved body, that he 
might not hazard the event of the battle upon the v/eakest part of 
his army. ?le was assured that, if he could penetrate the Lace- 
dsemonian phalanx, the rest of the army would soon be put to the 
rout. 

The action began with the cavalry. As the Thebans were bet- 
ter mounted, and- braver troops than the Lacedaemonian horse, the 
latter were not long before they were broken, and driven upon the 
infantry, Vvduch they put into some confusion. Epaminondas follow- 
ing his horse close, marched swiftly up to Cleorabrotus, and fell 
upon his phalanx with all the weight of his heavy battalion. The 
latter, to make a, diversion, detached a body of troops, witli orders 
to take Epaminondas in flank, and to surround him. Pelopidas, 
upon sight of that movement, advanced with incredible speed and 
boldness, at the head of the sacred battalion, to prevent the ene- 
my's design, and flanked Cleombrotus himself, v/ho, by that sudr 
den and unexpected attack, was put into disorder. The battle 
was very fierce and obstinate ; and> whilst Cleombrotus could act, 
the victory continued in suspense, and declared for neither party. 
But v/]ien he fell dead with his wounds, the Thebans, to complete 
the victory, and the Lacedaemonians, to avoid the shame of aban- 
doning the body of their king, redoubled their efforts, and a great 
slaughter ensued on both sides. The Spartans fought Avith so 
much fury about the body, that at length they gained their point, 
and carried it oflf. Aiximated by so glorious an advantage, they 



44 THE HISTORY OF THE 

proposed to return to the charg-e, which would, perhaps, have 
proved successful, had the allies seconded their ardour ; but the 
left wing-, seeinjf the Lacedaemonian phalanx broken, and believ- 
ing' all lost, especially when they heard that the king- was dead, 
took to flight, and drew off the rest of the army. Epaminondas 
followed them vigourously, and killed a g-reat numbei* iu the par- 
suit. The Thebans remained masters of the field of battle, erect* 
ed a trophy, and permitted the enemy to bury their dead. 

The Lacedsemonians had never received such a blow : the most 
bloody defeat, till then, had scarce ever cost them more than four op 
live hundred of their citizens ; here they lost four thousand men, of 
whom one thousand were Lacedaenionians, and four hundred Spar- 
tans, out of seven hundred who were in the battle. The Thebans 
had only three hundred men killed, amo.ig- whom were four of 
their citizens. 

So g-reat a victory was followed with instantaneous effects : num- 
bers of the Grecian states, who had hitherto remained neuter, now 
declared in favour of the conquerors, and encreased their army to 
the amount of 70,000 men Epaminondas entered Laconia with an 
army, the twelfth part of which were not Thebans ; and finding- a 
country hitherto untouched by an enemy, he ran through it with 
■fire and sword, destroying and plundering-, as far as the river Eu.- 
rotas. 

In the mean time, the Spartans, struck with consternation at 
their late defeat, applied to the Athenians for succour, who, after 
some hesitation, determined to assist them with all their forces j 
and a slight advantage the Spartans had gained«Dver the Thebans, 
in which they did not loose a man, gave a promising dawn of suc- 
cess. The war was then carried on with unabating vigour on both 
sides. The Theban troops were headed by their favourite general 
Epaminondas ; those of Sparta by Agesiiaus, the only man in 
Greece that was then able to oppose him. 

Epaminondas, having failed in an attack upon Sparta, was re- 
solved, before he laid down his command, which was now nearly 
expiring, to endeavour to affect something that might compensate 
for his failure. In order to protect Sparta, Agesiiaus had with- 
drawn all the troops from Mantinea ; thitiier, therefore, Epami- 
nondas resolved to bend his course. Being determined to attack 
the town, he dispatched a troop of horse to view its situation, and 
to clear the fields of stragglers ; but just before they had reached 
Mantinea, an army of six thousand Athenians auxiliaries arrived 
by sea, who, without taking any refreshment to their men or horses 
rushed out without the city, and attacked and defeated the Theban 
horse. In the mean time, Epaminondas was advancing with his 
whole army, with the enemy close upon his rear. Finding it im- 
possible to accomplish his purpose, befc re he would be overtaken, 
he determined to halt and give them battle. He had now got within 
a short way of the town, v^hich has had the jhonour of giving its 
name to the conflict of that day — a confiict, the most splendid and 
best contested, that ever figured in the history of any eountry. 



GRECIAN STATES. AS 

The Greeks had never fought among- themselves with more na- 
meroiis armies: the Lacediemonians consistedof more than twenty 
thousand foot, and two thousund horse ; the Thebans, of thirty thou- 
sand foot, and three thousand horse. The Theban general marched 
in the same order of baUle, in which he intended to fight, that he 
might not be obliged, v/hen he came up v/ith the enemy, to lose in 
disposing of his army, a precious time that cannot be recovered. 

He did not march directly, and with his front to the enemy, but 
in a column upon the hjUs, with his left wing foremost, as if he did 
not intend to lig-ht that day. When he was 0])posite to them, at 
a quarter of a league's distance, he made the troops halt, and lay 
down their arms, as if he designed to encamp there. The enemy 
in effect, were deceived by his stand ; and, reckoning no longer 
upon a battle, they quitted their arms, dispersed themselves about 
the camp, and suffered tliat ardour to be extinguished, which a near 
approach of a battle is accustomed to kindle in the hearts of sol- 
diers. 

Epaminondas, however, by suddenly wheeling- his troops to the 
right, having changed his column into a line, and having drawn out 
the choice troops, whom he had in his march posted in front, made 
them double their files upon the front of his left wing, to add to its 
strength, and to put it into a condition to attack in point the I.ace- 
dssmonian phalanx, which, by the movement he had made, faced it 
directly. He ordered the centre and right wing of his army to 
move very slowly, and to halt before they came up with the enemy, 
that he might not hazard th • event of the battle upon troops, of 
whom he had no great opinion. 

He expected to decide the victory by that body of chosen troops, 
which he commanded in person, and which he had formed into a 
column to attack the enemy in a wedge-like point. He had per- 
suaded himself, that if he could penetrate the Lacedemonian 
phalanx, in vrhich the enemy's principal force consisted, he should 
not find it difficult to rout tlie rest of the army, by charging uporj 
the right and left with his victorious troops. After having dis- 
posed his whole army in this manner, he moved on to charge the 
enemy with the 'whole weight of his column. They were strangely 
surprised when they saw Epaminondas advance to them in his order 
and resumed their arms, bridled their horses, and made all the 
haste they could to their ranks. 

Whilst Epaminondas marched against the enemy, the cavalry that 
covered his flank, on the left, the best at that time in Greece, en- 
tirely composed of Thebans and Thessalians, had orders to attack 
the enemy's horse. The Theban general, whom nothing escaped, 
had artfully bestowed bowmen in the intervals of his horse, in or- 
der to begirt the disorders of the enemy's cavalry, by a previous dis- 
charge of a shower of arrows, stones, and javelins upon them. The 
other army had neglected to take the same precaution : and had 
been guilty of another fault, not less considerable, in giving as much 
depth to the squadrons as if they had been a phalanx. By these 
means, their horse were incable of supporting long the oharge of 



m THE HISTORY OF THE 

the Theoans : and, after having- made several ineffectual attack's 
with gi'eat loss, they were oblig-ed to retire behind their infaritry. 

Epaminondas, in the mean time, with his body of foot, had 
charged the Lacedaemonian phalanx. The troops foug-ht on both 
sides with incredible ardour, both the Thebans and Laced?emonians 
being- resolved to perish, rather than yield the glory of arms to 
their rivals. They began with fighting their spears; but these 
being soon broken in the fury of the combat, they charged each 
other with sword in hand. The resistance was equally obstinate, 
and the slaughter was very great on both sides. Tlie troops des- 
pising danger, and desiring only to distinguish themselves by the 
greatness of their actions, chose rather to die in their ranks, than 
to lose a step of their ground. 

The fui-ious slaughter on both sides having continued a greai 
while, without the victory inclining to either, Epaminondas, to 
force it to declare for him, thought it his duty to muke an extraor* 
dinary effort in person, without regard to the danger of his own 
life. He formed, therefore, a troop of the bravest and most de- 
terminate about him ; and, putting himself at the head of them, 
made a vigourous charge upon the enemy, where the battle was 
most warm, and wounded the Lacedaemonian general with the 
first javelin he threw. The troops, by his example, having wound- 
ed or killed all that" stood in their way, broke and penetrated the 
phalanx. The Lacedaemonians dismayed Dy the presence of Epa- 
minondas, and overpowered by the weight of that intrepid party, 
were reduced to give ground. The gross of the Theban troops, 
animated by their general's example and success, drove back the 
enemy upon his right and left and made great slaughter of them. 
But some of the Spartan troops, perceiving thatEpimanondas aban- 
doned himself too much to his ardour, suddenly rallied and return- 
ing to the fight, charged him with a shower of javelins. Whilst he 
kept off part of those darts, shunned some of them, fenced off oth- 
ers, and was fighting with the most heroic valour, to assure the 
victory to his army, a Spartan, named CaUicrates, gave him a mor- 
tal wound with a javelin in his breast, across his cuiras. The wood 
of the javelin being broken off, and the iron head continuing in the 
wound, the torment was unsupportable, and he fell immediately, — 
The battle begun around him with new fury, the one side using - 
their utmost endeavours to take him alive, and the other to save 
him. — The Thebans gained their point at last, and carried him off, 
after having put the enemy to flight. 

After several different movements, and alternate losses and dis* 
advantages, the troops on both sides stood still, and rested upon 
their arms ; when the trumpets of the two armies, as if by consent, 
sounded the retreat at the same time. Each party pretended to the 
victory, and erected a trophy ; the Thebans, because they had de- 
feated the right wing, and remained masters of the field of battle ; 
and the Athenians, because they had cut the general's detachment 
in pieces. — From tins point of honour, both sides at first refused to 
asl^ leave to bury their dead, which, with the ancients, wag coufes<» 



GRECIAN STATES. > 47 

i\ng their defeat. The Lacedaenioniansj however, sent to demand 
that permission ; after which, the rest,"had no thoughts, butof pay- 
ing- the last duties to the slain. 

In the mean time, Epaminondas had been carried into the camp. 
The surgeons, after having examined the wound, declared, that he 
would expire as soon as the head of the dart was drawn out of it. 
These words gave all that were present the utmost sorrow and af- 
fliction, who were inconsolable on seeing so great a man on the 
point of death. For him, the only concern he expressed was about 
his arms, and the fate of the battle. When they shewed him his 
shield, and assured him, that the Thebans had gained the victory, 
turning towards his friends with a serene and calm air, " All then 
is well," said he ; and soon after, upon drawing the head of the 
javelin out of his body, he expired in the arms of victory. 

As the glory of Thebes rose with Epaminondas, so it fell with 
him ; and he is perhaps, the only instance of one man being able to 
inspire his country Vvith military glory, and lead it to conquest, with- 
out having had a predecessor, or leaving an imitator of his exam- 
ple. 

The battle of Mantinea was th6 greatest that was ever fought by 
Grecian* against Grecians, the whole strength of the country being 
drawn out, and ranged according to their different interests ; 
and it was fought with an obstinacy equal to the importance of it, 
which was the fixing the empire of Greece, which must of course 
have been transferred to the Thebans, upon their victory, if they 
had not lost the fruits of it by the death of their general, who was 
the soul of all their counsels and designs. This blasted all their 
hopes, and put out their sudden blaze of power almost as soon as 
it was kindled. However, they did not presently give up their 
pretensions ; they were still ranked among the leading states, and 
made several further struggles ; but they were faint and ineifec- 
tual, and such as wer^e rather for life and being, than for superior- 
ity and dominion. A peace, therefore, was proposed, which was 
ratified by all the states of Greece except Sparta : the conditions 
of which were, that every state should maintain what they posses- 
sed, and hold it independent of any other power. A state of repose 
follow^ed this peace, in which the Grecian powers seemed to slacken 
from their former animosities, and there was little done for sev- 
eral years following. 



CHAP. VII. 



-LOURING these transactions, a power was growing up in Greece^ 
hitherto- unobserved, but now too conspicuous and formidable to 
be overlooked in the general picture : this was that of the Mace- 
donians ; a people hitherto obscure, and in a manner barbarous ; 
and who, though warlike and courageous, had never yet presumed 



48 ^THE HISTORY OF THE 

to interi/ieddle in the affairs of Greece, Now several clrcmin. 
stances concurred to raise them from that obscurity, and to involve 
them in measures, which, by degrees, wrought a thorough change 
in' the state of Greece. 

This state began to make a figure about the beginning of the 
Binety-sixth Olympiad. Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, 
who had been the pupil of Epaminondas, was no sooner become 
king of Macedon, than he began to distinguish himself. He suc- 
ceeded in every thing he undertook, by the artfulness of his ad- 
dress, and the force of his eloquence, of which he was a great 
master. — He first gained the affections of his subjects, then train- 
ed and exercised them, and reformed their discipline. It was at 
this time he instituted the famous Macedonian phalanx, which did 
so much execution. It was an improvement upon the ancient man- 
ners of fighting among the Grecians, who generally drew up their 
foot so close, as to stand the shock of the enemy without being 
broken. The complete phalanx was thought to contain above six- 
teen thousand men ; but this of Philip's invention is described by 
Polybius to be an oblong figure, consisting of eight thousand pike- 
men, sixteen deep, and five hundred in front, the men standing S9 
close together, that the pikes of the fifth rank v/ere extended three 
feet beyond the line of the front. The rest, whose distance from 
the front rendered their pikes useless, rested them upon the shoul- 
ders of those who stood before them, and ?o locking them together 
in file, pressed forward to support and pr.sa on the former ranks, 
whereby the assault was rendered more violent and irresistible. 

Philip having, by some means or other, set the Greeks to quar- 
relling among themselves, thought it his interest to remain neuter 
in the commotions he had partly occasioned. It was consistent 
with the ambitious policy of this prince to be intent only upon his 
own interest, and not to engage in a war, by whick fee could reap 
not the least benefit : and to take advantage of a juncture, in which 
all Greece, employed and divided by a great war, gave him an op- 
portunity to extend his frontiers, and push his conquests without^ 
any apprehensions of opposition. He was also well pleased to see 
both parties weaken ana consume each other, as he should thereby 
be enabled to fall upon them afterwards to greater advantage. 

Philip, as soon as his son Alexander was born, lost no time in 
acquainting Aristotle of what had happened. He wrote to that 
distinguished philosopher, in terms the most polite and flattering; 
begging of him to come and undertake his education, and to be- 
stow on hiir those useful lessen*; of magnanimity and virtue, which 
every great man ought to possess, and which his numerous avoca- 
tions rendered impossible to be attempted by him. He added, ** I 
return thanks to the Gods, not so much for having given me a son, 
as for having given him to me in the age in which Aristotle lives." 

Though brevity will not permit us to follow every method Philip 
took to enslave all Greece, yet we must not omit to mention a cir- 
cumstance that happened at the siege of Methone, where Philip 
lost oue of his eyes in a very singular manner. Aster of ximphi- 



©RECIAN STATES. 49 

polls had offered his services to Philip, telling him, that he was so 
excellent a marksman, that he could bring" down birds in their 
most rapid flight. The monarch made this answer : ** Well, I will 
take you into my service, when I make war upon starling-s ;" which 
answer stung- the archer to the quicks A repartee proves often 
of fatal consequence to him who makes it. Aster, having thrown 
himself into the city, let fly aa^irrow, on which was written, "To 
Philip's left eye." This carried a most cruel proof that he was a 
good marksman, K)r he hit him in the right eye ; and Philip sent 
him back the same arrow, with this inscription, " If Philip takes 
the city, he will hang up Aster ;" and accordingly he was as good 
as his word. A skilful surgeon drew the arrow out of Philip's eye 
with so much art and dexterity, that not the least scar remained j 
and though he could not save his eye, yet he took away the blemish. 

The hasty strides Philip vvas now making towards enslaving al! 
Greece, particularly attracted #he attention of Demosthenes, who 
roused the Athenians from their lethargy of pleasure. This cel- 
ebrated orator saw, from the beginning, the ambition of Philip, and 
the power, of which he was possessed to carry him through his 
designs. This illustrious orator and statesman was born in the 
last year of the ninety-ninth Olympiad. He was the son of an em. 
inent Athenian citizen, who raised a considerable fortune by the 
manufacture of arms. At the age of seven years, he lost his fa- 
ther ; and, to add to this misfortune, the guardians, to whom he 
was entrusted, wasted and embezzled a considerable part of his 
inheritance. Tlius oppressed by fraud, and discouraged by a- weak 
and effeminate habit of body, he yet discovered an early anibition 
to distinguish himself as a popular speaker. His first essay was 
made against his guardian, by whom he had been so injuriously 
treated ; but the goodness of his cause was here of more service 
than the abilities of the yoimg orator : for his early attempts were 
unpromising. He twice afterwards attempted to harangue the 
people ; but he succeeded so badly, that they even hissed him 
when he went away ashamed, confounded, ^id quite in despair. 

After a length of time, however, after proper instructions, and 
unwearied application, he appeared again in public, and succeeded 
so well, that people flocked from all parts of Greece to hear hinu 
From thence he was looked upon as the standard of true, eloquence, 
insomuch that none of his countrymen have been put in comparison 
with him, nor even among- the Romans, any but Cicero. His elo- 
quence was grave and austere, like his temper ; masculine and sub- 
lime, bold, forcible, and impetuous ; abounding with metaphors, 
apostrophes, and interrogations, which, with his solemn way of in- 
voking and appealing to the gods, the planets, the elements, and 
the manes of those who fell at Salamais and Marathon, had such a 
wonderful effect upon his hearers, that they thought him inspired. 
But Demosthenes could not have made such impressions on them, 
if his talent of speaking had not been supported by their opinion of 
his integrity. It was that which added weight and emphasis to 
every thing he said, and animated the whole ; it was that whicht 



50 THE HISTORY OF THE 

chiefly engaged their attention, and determined their coimcilSj 
when they were convinced he spoke from his heart and had no in- 
terest to manage but that of the community. Of this he gave the 
strongest proof in his zeal against Philip, who said he was of more 
weight against him than all the fleets and armies of the Athenians, 
and that he had no enemy bvit Demosthenes. He was not wanting 
in his endeavours to corrupt him, as he had done most of the lead- 
ing men in Greece ; but this great orator withstood all his efforts ; 
and as it was observed, all the gold in Macedon could not bribe 
him. 

Thoug-h Philip's public character was by no means a credit to 
him, yet the following act\of private justice does him honour. A 
certain soldier in the Macedonian army had, in many instances, 
distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of valour, and had re- 
ceived many marks of Philip's favour and approbation. On some 
occasion, he embarked on board a vessel, which was wrecked in a 
violent storm, he himself cast on the shore helpless and naked, and j 
scarcely with the appearance of life. A Macedonian, whose lands f 
were contiguous to the sea, came opportunely to be witness of his 
distress, and with all humane and charitable tenderness, flew to the 
relief of the unhappy stranger. He bore him to his house, laid 
him on his own bed, revived, cherished, comforted, and for forty 
days supplied him freely with all the necessaries and conveniences, 
which -his languishing condition could require. The soldier, thus 
happily rescued from death, was incessant in the warmest expres- 
sions of gratitude to his benefactor, assured him of his interest 
with the king, and of his power -and resolution of obtaining for him, 
from tlie royal bounty, the noble returns which such extraordinary 
benevolence had merited. He was noAv completely recovered, and 
his kind host supplied him with money to pursue his journey. 

Some time after, the soldier presented himself before the king ; 
he recounted bis misfortunes, magnified his services, and, having 
looked with an eye of envy on the possessions of the man who had 
preserved his life, was now so abandoned to every sense of grati- 
tude, as to request the king to bestow upon him the house and 
lands where he had been so kindly and tenderly entertained. Unhap- 
pily, Philip, without examination, inconsiderately and precipitately 
granted his infamous request. The soldier now returned to his. 
preserver, repaid his goodness by driving him from his settlement, 
and taking immediate possession of all the fruits of his honest in- 
dustry. The poor man, stung with this instance of unparelleled 
ingratitude and insensibility, boldly determined, instead of sub- 
i^itting to his wrongs, to seek relief; and, in a letter addressed to 
Philip, represented his own and the soldier's conduct, in a lively 
and affecting manner. The king was instantly fired with indigna- 
tion, and ordered that justice should be done without delay; that 
the possessions should be imnaediately restored to the man, whose 
charitable offices had been thus horribly repaid ; and, having seized 
the soldier, caused these words to be branded on his forehead, 
** JfhQ Ungrateful Guest :" a character infamous in eveiy age, and 



©RECIAN STATES. 51 

among all nations ; but particularly among tlie Greeks, who, from 
the earliest times, were most scrupulously observant of the laws 
of hospitality. 

Philip, ha^dng proved unsuccessful in liis attacks on the Grecian 
States, marched against Athens, king of Scythia, from whom he 
had received some personal cause of discontent, and took his son 
Alexander with him in this expedition.- Though tlie Scythians had 
a very numerous army, l^e defeated them without any difficulty. 
He got a very great booty, which consisted not in gold or silver, 
the use of which the Scythians were not as yet so unhappy as to 
know, but in cattle, in horses, and in a great number of women 
and children. 

At his return from Scythia, the Triballi, a people of Moesia, 
disputed the pass with him, laying claim to part of the plunder he 
was carrying off. Philip was forced to come to a battle ; and a. 
very bloody one was fought, in which great numbers on each side 
were killed upon the spot. The king himself was wounded in the 
thigh, and, with the same tiTi-ust, had his horse killed under him. 
Alexander flew to his fither's aid, and, covering- him with his 
shield, killed or put to flight all who attacked him. 

The ambition of Philip would not long suffer him to remain in= 
active. Not daring openly to attack the Athenians, he endeavour- 
ed, underhand, to create new disturbances in Greece that he misrht 
take such a part in them as would best answer his. vievv^s ; and 
%/hen the flame should be kindled, his point was to appear rather 
to be called in as an assistant, than to act as a principal. 

However, the mask was soon thrown -off : the Thebans and 
Athenians soon joined their forces, and waited the approach of 
Philip, who was leading his army to the plain of Ch^ronea : a name 
rendered famous by the event of this important contest. Philip's 
army v/as formed of thirty -two thousand men, vvarlike, disciplinedj 
and long enured to the toils and dangers of the field ; but this body 
was composed of different nations and countries, who had each 
their distinct and separate views and interests. The army of the 
confederates did not amount to thirty thousand complete, of which 
the Athenians and Thebans furnished the greater part ; the rest 
was formed of the Corinthians and Peloponnesians ; but the same 
motives, and the same zeal, influenced and animated them. All 
were equally affected by the event, and all equally resolved to con- 
quer, or die in defence of their liberty. 

The fatal morning now arrived, which was forever to decide the 
cause of hberty, and the empire of Greece. Before the rising of 
the sun, both armies were ranged in order of battle. The Thebans^ 
commanded byTheogenes, a man of but moderate abilities in war, 
and suspected of corruption, obtained the post of honour on the 
right wing of the confederate Greeks, with that famous body in 
the front, called the Sacred Band, formed of generous and warHke 
youths, connected and endeared to each other by all the noble en- 
thusiasm of love and friendship. The centre was formed of the 
Corinthians and Peloponnessians, and the Atiienians composed the 



52 THE HISTORY OF THE 

ieft wing, led by their g-enerals Lysicles and Chares. On the left 
of the Macedonian army stood Alexander, at the head of a chosen 
body of noble Macedonians, supported by the famous cavalry of 
Thessaly. As this prince was then but nineteen years old, his fa- 
ther was carefal tH) curb his youthful impetuosity, and to direct hig 
valour, and for this purpose surrounded him with a number of ex- 
perlenced^officers. In the centre were placed those Greeks who 
had united with Philip, and on whose courage he had the least de- 
^ pendence : while the king" himself commanded on the right wing", 
I^Where his renowned phalanx stood, to oppose the impetuosity, with 
which the Athenians were well known to begin their onset. 

The charge begun on each side with all the courage and vio- 
lence, which ambition, revenge, the love of glory, and the love of 
liberty, could excite in the several combatants. Alexander, at the 
head of the Macedonian nobles, with all the fury of youthful cour- 
age, first fell on the Sacred Band of Thebes, which sustained his 
attack with a bravery and vigour worthy of its former fame. The 
gallant youths who composed this body, not being timely, or not 
duly supported by their countrymen, bore up for a while against 
the torrent of the enemy ; till at length oppressed and overpower- 
ed by superior numbers, without yielding or turning- their backs on 
their assailants, they sunk down on that ground where they h;id 
been originally stationed, each by tlie side of his darling friend, 
raising up a bulwark by their bodies against the progress of the 
enemy. The young Alexander and his forces, in all the enthusi- 
f.stic ardour of valour, animated by success, pushed on tiirough all 
the carnage, over all the heaps of slain, and fell fiu'iously on the 
main body of the Thebans, where they were opposed with obstinate 
and deliberate courage ; alid the contest was, for some time, sup- 
potted with mutual violence. 

i\t the same time, the Athenians, on the right wing, fought with 
a spirit and intrepidity worthy of the character which they boasted, 
and of the cause by which they were animated. Many brave ef- 
tbi'ts were exerted on each side, and success was for some time 
fi Hibtful ; till at length, part of the centre, and the left wing of the 
Macedonians, except the phalanx, yielded to the impetuous attack 
of the Athenians, and fled with some precipitation. Happy had it 
been on that day for Greece, if the conduct and abilities of the 
Grecian generals had been equal to the valour of their soldiers j 
but these brave champions of liberty were led on by the despica- 
ble creatures of intrigue and cabal. Transported by the advantage 
now obtained, the presumptuous Lysicles cried out, " Come on, 
my gallant countrymen, the victory is ours ; let us pursue these 
cowards, and drive them to Macedon." Thus, instead of improv- 
ing the happy opportunity, by charging the phalanx in flank, and 
so breaking that formidable body, the Atbenians wildly and pre- 
cipitately pressed forward, in pursuit of the filing enemy, them- 
selves in all the dij?order and tumult of a rout. 

Philip saw this fatal error with all the contempt of a skilful gen- 
eral, and the secret exaltation arising from the assurance of ap. 



©RECIAN STATES. $B 

proaching" victory. He coolly observed to the officers that stood 
round him, that the Athenians knew not how to conquer. He or- 
dered the phalanx to change its position, and, by a sudden evolu- 
tion, to gain possession of an adjacent eminence. From thence 
they marched deliberately down, firm and collected, and fell, with 
their united force, on the Athenians, now confident of success, and 
blind to their danger. The shock was irresistible, they were at 
once overwhelmed, many of them lay crushed by the weight of the 
enemy, and expiring by their wounds ; while the rest escaped from 
the dreadful slaughter by a shameful and precipitate flight, bear- 
ing down, and huwying away with them, those troops that had 
been stationed for their support. Now Demosthenes, that renown- 
ed orator and statesman, whose noble sentiments and spirited har- 
rangues had raised the courage on this day so eminently excited, 
betrayed that weakness which has sullied his great character. He 
alone, of all his countrymen, advanced to the charge cold and dis- 
mayed ; and, on the very first appearance of a reverse of fortune,in an 
agony of terror, turned his back,cast away that shield, which he ha< 
adorned with this inscription in golden characters, "To Good For- 
tune," and appeared the foremost in the general rout.The ridicule 
and malice of his enemies related, or perhaps invented, another 
hameful circumstance ; being impeded in his flight by some bram- 
bles, his imagination was so possessed by the presence of an enemy^ 
hat he loudly cried out for quarter. 

While Philip was thus triumphant on his side, Alexander con* 
tinned the conflict on the other wing, and at length broke the 
Thebans, in spite of all their acts of valour, who now fled from the 
field, and were pursued with great carnage. The centre of the 
confederates was thus totally abandoned to the fury of a victorious 
enemy. But slaughter enough had been already made ; more than 
one thousand of the Athenians lay dead on the field of battle, two 
thousand were made prisoners, and the loss of the Thebans was 
not inferior. Philip, therefore, determined to conclude his im- 
portant victory by an act of apparent clemency, which his ambition 
and policy really dictated. He gave orders that the Greeks should 
be spared, conscious of his own desig-ns, and still expecting to ap- 
pear in the field the head and leader of that body, which he had 
now completely conquered. 

This defeat was attributed chiefly to the ill conduct of the gen- 
erals Lysicles and Chares ; the former whereof the Athenians put 
to death at the instance of a judge, named Lycurgus, who had 
great credit and influence with the people, but was a severe judge, 
and a most bitter accuser. " You, Lysicles, (said he) was gen- 
eral of the army : a thousand citizens were slain, and two thousand 
taken prisoners ; a trophy has been erected to the dishonour of this 
city, and all Greece is enslaved. You had the command when all 
these things happened ; and yet you dare to live, to view the light 
of the sun, and blush not to appear publickly in the forum : you, Ly- 
sicles, who are born the monument of your country's shame I ' It 
4oes not appear that Chares underwent any kind of persecutioia 



54 THE HISTORY OF THE 

for his share of this action ; though, according- to liis general char- 
acter, he deserved it more than his colleag-ue ; he had no talent 
for command, and was very little different from a common soldier. 
Timotheus said of him, that, " instead of being- a general, he was 
fitter to carry the general's baggage." 

After the battle of Cheeronea, such orators as opposed Demos- 
thenes, having all risen up in concert against him, and having cited 
him to take his trial according to law, the people not only declared 
him innocent of the several accusations laid to his charge, but con- 
ferred on him additional honours. 

Philip, however, did not long enjoy the fruits of his conquests 
in Greece. Pausanius,^a young Macedonian nobleman, having re- 
ceived a most shameful insult from Attilus, a relation of Philip's, 
he applied tp the monarch for redress ; but not being able to ob- 
tain it, he resolved on the destruction of Philip. Pausanius chose 
the morning in which was to be a grand procession, for the execu- 
tion of his revenge on the prince, who had denied reparation to 
his injured honour. His design had been for some time premedi- 
tated, and now was the dreadful moment of effecting it. As 
Philip marched on in all his pride and pomp, this young Macedo- 
nian slipped through the crowd, and, with a desperate and revenge- 
ful resolution, waited his approach in a narrow passage, just at the 
entrance into the theatre. The king advanced towards him, Pau- 
sanius drew his poignard, plunged it into his heart, and the con- 
queror of Greece, and the terror of Asia, fell prostrate to the 
ground, and instantly expired. 

The murderer flew towards the gates of the city, where there 
stood horses to favour his escape, which Olympias, Philip's wife, 
is said to have prepared. Here it should be observed, that Philip 
had disgraced Olympias, for her bad and disagreeable temper, and 
had taken Cleopatra to his bed. The tumult and confusion was 
such as might be expected from so fatal an event : some of the 
Macedonians crowded round the fallen king with officious and in- 
effectual care, wdiile others pursued Pausanius. Among these 
were Perdiccas, Attalus, and Leonatus, who coming Tip with him 
just as he was preparing to remount his horse, from which he had 
been thrown by his foot tangUng in a vine, they fell upon him and 
dispatched him. His body was immediately hung on a gibbet ; 
but, in the morning, it appeared crowned witli a golden diadem : 
the only means by which Olympias could express her implacable 
resentment. In a few days, indeed, she took a further occasion of 
publishing her triumph and exultation in her husband's fall, by 
paying the same funeral honours to Pausanius, which was prepared 
for PhiUp : both bodies were burnt on the same pile, and the ashes 
of both deposited in the same tomb. She is even said to have pre- 
vailed on the Macedonians to pay annual honours to Pausanius ; as 
if she feared, tliat the share she had taken in the death of Philip 
should not be sufficiently known to the world. She consecrated 
to Apollo the dagger, which had been the instrument of the fatal 
deed, inscribed with the name Myrtalis, the name which she had 



GRECIAN STATES. S5 

borne wlien their loves first beg-an. Thus died Philip, whose vir- 
tues and vices v/ere directed and proportioned to his ambition. 



GHAP. VIII. 



In the year of the world 3648, and 356 before the birth of Christ, 
Alexander, the son of Philip, ascended the throne of Macedonj and. 
took possession of a king-donn rendered flourishing- and powerful 
by the policy of the preceding- reign. Alexander, upon his acces- 
sion to the thronei.saw himself surrounded with extreme dangers i 
the barbarous nations, with whom Philip contended during his 
whole reign, thought this change for their advantage ; and, des- 
pising the youth and inexperience of the young monarch, resolved 
to seize this opportunity of regaining their freedom. Nor had he 
less to fear from the Greeks themselves, who now thought this a 
convenient opportunity to restore their ancient form of government, 
revenge their former injuries, and reclaim those rights they had 
enjoyed for ages. Alexander, however, resolved to prevent their 
machinations, and to giv6 them no time to complete their confed- 
eracies against him. He made all possible haste to check the 
arms of the barbarians, by marching his troops to the banks of the 
Danube, which he crossed in one night. He defeated the king of 
the Triballiin a great battle, made the Getae fly at his approach, 
and subdued several other barbaroi.is nations, some by the terror of 
his name, and others by the force of his arms. 

The first object of Alexander's ambition was the conquest of Per- 
sia : and he now expected, that he should have leisure and oppor- 
tunity to prepare for so great an enterprize. He was however, soon 
called to a new undertaking : for the Athenians, Thebans, and La- 
cedsemoneans, united against him, hoping by the asisstance of Per-' 
sia, to recover thefir freedom. Expedition and activity were the 
characteristics of Alexander. Having heard of the union formed 
against him by the Grecian States, he crossed over the craggy- 
top of Mount Ojsa, to elude the Thessilonians, who had possessed 
themselves of the defiles lying between Thessaly and Macedon ; 
and moved on with such rapidity, that his appearance in Greece 
gave the first news of his preparation for war. A great battle was 
soon fought, in which the Thebans exerted themselves with a 
bravery and ardour much above their strength ; but they were at 
last surrounded on all sides, the greatest part of them were cut to 
pieces, and the city taken, plundered and destroyed. However, he 
set at liberty the priests ; all such as had a right of hospitality with 
the Macedonians ; the descendants of Pindar, the famous poet, 
who had done so much to Greece j and such as had opposed the 
revolt : but all the rest in number about thirty thousand he sold; 
and upwards of six thousand had been killed in batUc» 



36 THE HISTORY OF THE 

This dreadful example of seventy towards so powerful a city as 
Thebes, spread the terror of his arms throug-h all Greece, and 
made all things g-ive way before him. He 'summoned at Corinth 
the assemblies of the several states and free cities of Greece, to 
obtain from them the same supreme command against the Per- 
sians, which had been granted to his father a little before his 
death. No assembly ever debated on a more important subject : 
it was the western world deiiberating upon the ruin of the east, 
and the method for executing- a reveng-e which had been suspend- 
ed for more than age. The assembly held at this time gave rise 
to events, the relation of which will appear astonishing, and almost 
incredible ; and to revolutions, which contributed to change the 
disposition of most things in the political world. The deliberations 
of the assembly were short ; the Spartans were the only people 
who ventured to remonstrate : though several others were inimi- 
cal to the interests of the Macedonians ; but they were forced to 
submit, and Alexander was appointed generalissimo against the 
Persians. 

Having thus far accomplished his wishes, and after having com- 
pletely settled his affairs in Macedonia, he set out for Asia in the 
beginning of the spring. His army consisted of little more than 
thirty thousand foot, and four or five thousand horse ; but they were 
all brave men, well disciplined, and enured to fatigue, They had 
made several campaigns under Philip, and were each of them, in 
case of necessity, capable of commanding. Most of the officers 
were near three-score years of age, and the common men fifty ; and 
when they were either assembled, or drawn up at the head of a 
camp, they had the air of a venerable senate. Such was the army 
that was to decide the fortune, not only of Greece, but of all the 
eastern world. 

When the news of Alexander's landing in Asia, without opposi- 
tion, was brought to Darius, he testified the utmost contempt for 
the Macedonian army, and indignation at the presumption of their 
generals. In a letter which he wrote, he reprehended his auda- 
cious insolence, and gave orders to his various* governors, in the 
different parts of his dominions, that, if they took Alexander alive, 
to whip him with rods, make J>risoners of his whole army, and send 
them as slaves to @ne of the most deserted pai'ts of his dominions. 
Thus confiding in the glittering but barbarous multitude he com- 
manded, he disposed of the enemy as already vanquished j but 
confidence goes but a short part of the road to success. The 
great numbers he had gathered only brought unwieldy splendour 
into the field, and, instead of procuring him security, encreased 
his embarrassments. 

Alexander, in the mean tirile, marched on at the head of his 
heavy armed infantry, drawh Up in two lines, with the cavalry in 
the wings, and the baggage following in the rear. Being arrived on 
the banks of the Grannicus, he there found the Persian horse, 
which were very numerous, on the opposite shore, forming a large 
front, in order to oppose Alexander, wheaev^v he should attempt 



GRECIAN STATES. S7 

to pass. The two armies continued a long- timfe in sight of eacli 
other, on the banks of the river, as if dreadini^ the event. The 
Persians waited till the Macedonians should enter the river, m 
order to charge them to advantage upon their landing- ; and the 
' latter seemed to be making- choice of a place proper for landing. 
At last Alexander ordered his horse to be brought, commanded 
the noblemen of the court to follow him and behave gallantly. He 
himself commanded the right wing, and Parmenio the left. The 
king first caused a strong detachment to march into the riverj 
himself following it VAth the rest of the forces. He made Parme- 
nio advance afterwards with the left wing, the trumpet sounding, 
and the whole army raising cries of joy. The Persians, seeing 
this detachment advance forward, began to let fly their arrows, 
and march to a place where the declivity was not so great, in or- 
der to keep the Macedonians from landing. But now the horse 
engaged with great fury, one part endeavouring to land, and 
the other striving to prevent them. The Macedonians, whose 
cavalry were inferior in number, besides the disadvantage of tj\e 
ground, were wounded with the darts that were shot from the em- 
inence ; not to mention, that the flower of the Persian horse were 
drawn together in this place. The Macedonians, therefore, at 
first gave ground, after having lost the first ranks, which made a 
vigorous defence. Alexander, who closely followed them, rein- 
forced them with his best troops, headed them himself, animated 
them by his presence, pushed the Persians, and routed them ; up. 
on which the whole army followed after, crossed the river, and at- 
tacked the enemy on ail sides. 

Spithrobates, lieutenant-governor of Ionia, and son-in-law to 
Darius, distinguislied himself above the rest of the Persian gen- 
erals by his superior bravery. Being surrounded by forty Persian 
lords, all of them his relations of experienced valour, and who 
never moved from his side, he carried terror wherever he went. 
Alexander observing in how gallant a manner he signalized him- 
self, clapt spurs to his horse and advanced towards him. They 
immediately engaged, and each having thrown a javelin, v/ounded 
the other slightly. Spithrobates fell furiously sword in hand upon 
Alexander, who, being prepared for him, thrusts his pike into his 
face, and laid him dead at his feet. At that very moment Rasa- 
ces, brother to that nobleman, charging him on the side, gave him 
so furious a blow on the head with a battle-axe that he beat off his 
plumej but went no deeper than the hair. As he was going "to • 
repeat his blow on the head, which now appeared through his 
fractur;:;! helmet, Clitus cut of Rasaces' hand with one stroke of 
his sr tar, and thereby saved his sovereign's life. The danger 
to Wjsic^i Alexander had been exposed, greatly animated the cour- 
age of his soldiers, who now performed wonders. The Persians 
in the centre of the horse, upon whom the light armed troops, who 
had been posted in tlie intervals of the horse, poured a perpetual 
discharge of darts, being unable any longer to sustain the attack 
5>f the Macedonians, who struck them all in the face, the tVv'o 



5S THE HISTORY OF THE 

wings were immediately broken, and put to fiig-ht, Alexander 
did not long- pursue them, but immediately turned about to charg-e 
the foot. These at first stood their ground ;^but when they saw 
themselves attacked at the same time by the cavalry and the Mace- 
donian phalanx which had crossed the river, and that the battal- 
ions were now engaged, those of the Persians did not make either 
along or a vig'orous defence, and were soon put to fiig-ht ; but the 
©recian infantry in Darius' service stood the shock. Tliis body 
of foot retiring- to a liill, demanded a promise from Alexander to 
let them march away unmolested; but following tlje dictates of 
his wrath, rather than those of reason, he rushed into the midst of 
this body of foot, and presently lost his horse, whicli was killed by 
the thrust of a sword, The battle wa^s so hot round him, that 
most of the Macedonians, who lost their lives on this occasion, fell 
here ; for they fought against a body of men,^who were well dis- 
ciplined, had been inured to v/ar, and fought in despair. They 
were all cut to pieces, except two thousand, who were taken pris- 
oners. 

In this battle twenty thousand foot, and two thousand five hun- 
dred horse, were killed on the side of the barbarians ; and of the 
Macedonians, twenty-five of the royal horse were killed on the 
first attack. Alexander ordered Lysippus to make their statues 
in brass, all of which M^ere set up in a city of Macedon, called Dia, 
from whence they were many years afterwards carried to Rome 
by Metelles. About three-score of the other horse were killed, 
and near thirty foot, who, the next day, were all laid with their 
arms and equipage in one grave ; and the king granted an exemp- 
tion to their fathers and children from every kind of tribute and 
service. This victory not only impressed the Persians with con- 
sternation, but served to excite the ardour of the invading army. 

Soon after the battle of Grannious, he recovered Sardis from the 
enemy, which was in a manner the bulwark of the barbarian em- 
pire. Four days after, he arrived at Ephesus, carrying with him 
those who had been banished from thence for being his adherents, 
and restored, its popular form of govei-nment. 

Alexander afterwards took Miletus, and demolished Halica- 
nasstis to the very foundation. He next restored Ada, queen of Ca- 
ria, to her kingdom, of which she had been dis])ossessed some 
time before ; and as a testimony of the deep sense she had of the 
favours received from Alexander, she sent him every day meats 
dressed in the most exquisite manner, and the most excellent cooks 
of every kind. Alexander answered the queen upon this occasion, 
that all this train was of no service to him ; for tb.at he was pos- 
sessed of much better cooks, v/hom Leonidas his governor had 
given him ; one of whom pi-epared him a good dinner, and the 
other an excellent supper: thtse were Temperance and Exer- 
cise. 

He soon afterwards marched into Phrygia, the ancient dominion 
of the celebFatcd king Midas. Having taken the capital city, he 
w^s desirous of seeing the famous cUarioV, to which the gordiaB 



GRECIAN STATES. 59 

knot was tied. This knot, which fastened the yoke to the beam, 
was tied with so much intricacy, that it was impossible to discover 
where the ends beg-un, or ho>kV they were concealed. According- to 
an ancient tradition of the country, an oracle had foretold, that the - 
man who could untie it should possess the empire of Asia. Alex- 
ander being- firmly persuaded that the oracle-was meant for him, 
after many fruitless trials, instead of attempting to untie it in the 
usual manner, drew his sword, and cut it into pieces, crying- out, 
such was the only way to untie it. The priest hailed the omen, 
and declared that Alexander fulfilled the oracle. 

Darius having- been employed, for a long- time, in collecting a 
numerous army to oppose Alexander, advanced towards the river 
Euphrates. Over his tent was exhibited, to the view of the whole 
army, the image of the sun in jewels, while wealth and magnificence 
shone in every quarter of the army. First they carried silver altars 
on which lay fire, called by them Sacred and Eternal ; and these 
were followed by the Mxigi, singing hymns, after the manner of their 
country. They were accompanied by three hundred and sixty-five 
youths, equalling the number of days in a year, clothed in purple 
robes. Afterwards came a chariot consecrated to Jupiter, drawn 
by white horses, and followed by a courser of prodigious size, to 
whom they gave the name of the Sun's Horse ; and tlie equerries 
■were dressed in white, each having a golden rod in his hand. 

Ten chariots, adorned witli sculptures of gold and silver, follow- 
ed afterwards. Then marched a body of horse, composed of twelve 
nations, whose manners and customs were various, and all armed 
in a different manner. Next advanced those, whom the Persians 
ealled The Immortals, amounting to ten thousand, v/ho surpassed 
the rest of the barbarians in the sumptnousness of their apparel. 
They all vi/ore golden collars, were clothed in robes of gold tissue 
withvvestments having sleeves to them, quite covered with pre- 
cious stones. Thirty paces from them, followed those called the 
king's relations, to the number of fifteen thousand, in habit's very 
much resembling those of women,- rmd more remarkable for the 
vain pomp of their dress, than the glitter of their arms. Those cal- 
led the Boirphori came afterwards : they carried the king's cloak, 
and walked before the chariot, in v/hich he seemed r.o sit as on a 
hio-h throne. This chariot was enriched on both sides with im- 
ages of the gods, in gold and silver; and from the middle of the 
yoke, which was covered with jewels, rose two statues, a cubit in 
height, the one representing war, the other peace, having a golden 
eagle between them, with wings extended, as ready to take flight. 
But nothing could equal the magnificence of the king ; he was 
cloathed in a vest of purple, striped with silver, and over it hung a 
long robe, glittering all over with gold and precious stones, that 
represented two falcons, rushing from the clouds, and pecking at 
one anotlier. Aroujid his waist he wore a golden girdle, after the 
manner of women, whence his scimitar hung, the scabbard of 
which flamed all over with gems On his head he wore a tiara, or 
mitre, round which was a fillet of blue mixed with white. On eack 



€§ THE HISTORY OF THE 

side of him walked two hundred of his nearest relations, whose 
pikes were adorned with silver, and tipped with gold ; and lastly 
thirty thousand infantry, who composed the rear guard. These 
were followed by the king's horses, four hundred in number, all 
which were led. 

About one hundred paces from thence, came Sysigambis, the 
mother of Darin s, sea ted ona chariot, and his consort on another, with 
the several female attendants of both queens riding on horseback. 
Afterwards came fifteen large chariots, in which were the king's 
children, and those who had the care of their education, with a 
band of eunuchs. Then marched the concubines, to the number 
of three hundred and sixty, in the equipage of queens, followed by 
six hundred mules, and three hundred camels, which carried the 
king's treasure, and guarded by a great body of archers. After 
these came the wives of the crown-officers, and of the greatest 
lords of the court ; then the sutlers and servants of the army seat- 
ed also in chariots. In the rear were a body of light armed troops, 
with their commanders, who closed the whole march. 

Such was tlie splendour of this pageant monarch ; he took the 
field encumbered with an unnecessary train of iej^ncubines, attend- 
ed with troops of various nations, speaking different languages ; 
from their numbers impossible to be marshalled, and so rich and 
effeminate in gold and in 'garments, as seemed rather to invite 
than deter an enemy. 



CHAP. IX. 



Alexander, as frequently happens to the greatest captains, 
felt some emotions, when he saw that he was going to hazard all 
at once. The more fortune had favoured him hitherto, the more he 
now dreaded her frpwns ; the moment was approaching, which 
was to determine bis fate. On the other side, his courage revived 
from the reflection, that the reward of his toils exceeded"the dan- 
gers of them ; and, though he was uncertain with regard to the 
victory, he at least hoped to die gloriously, and like Alexander, 
However, he did not divulge these thoughts to any one, well know- 
ing, that, upon the approach of a battle, a general ought 
not to discover the least marks of sadness or perplexity, and 
that the troops should read nothing but resolution and intrepidity 
in the countenance of thei.i commander. 

Having made his soldiers refresh themselves, and ordered them 
to be ready by three o'clock in the morning, he went to the top of 
a mountain, and there, by torch light, sacrificed, after the manner 
of his country, to the gods of the place. As soon as the signal was 
given, his army, which was ready to march and fight, arrived by 
day break at the several posts assigned them. But the spies now 
i^ringing word that Darius was not above thirty fmiongs fi'om them 



GRECIAN STATES. 61 

the kinjj caused his army to halt, and then drew it up In battle ar- 
ray. The peasants, in the greatest terror, came also, and ac- 
quainted Darius with the arrival of the enemy, which he would not 
at first believe, imagining that Alexander fled before him, and was 
endeavoring to escape. This news threw his troops into the ut- 
most confusion, who, in their surprise, ran to their arms with great 
precipitation and disorder. 

The spot where the battle was fought, lay near the city of Issus, 
which the mountains boundejA on one side, and the sea on the other. 
The plain that was situated between them both must have been 
considerably broad, as the two armies encamped in it. The river 
Pinartus ran through the middle of this plain, from the mountain 
to the sea, and divided it very nearly into two equal parts. The 
mountain formed a hollow kind of gulf, the extremity of which, in 
a curved line, bounded part of the plain. 

Alexander had at first advanced very slowly, to prevent the ranks 
on the front of the phalanx from breaking, and halted by intervals; 
but when he was got within bow-shot, he commanded all his right 
wing to plunge impetuously into the river, purposely that he might 
surprise the barbarians, come sooner to a close engagement, and be 
less exposed to the enemy's arrows ; in all which he was very suc- 
cessful. Both sides fought with the utmost bravery and res©lu» 
tion ; and, being now forced to fight close, they charged both sides 
sword in hand, when a dreadful slaughter ensued, each engaging 
man to man. Alexander wished nothing so ardently as to kill 
with his own hand Darius, who, being seated on a high chariot, 
was conspicuous to the whole army. Oxathres, brother to Darius 
observing that Alexander was going to charge that monarch with 
the utmost vigour, rushed before his chariot with the horse under 
his command, and distinguished himself above the rest. The 
horses that drew Darius's chariot lost all command, and shook the 
yoke so violently, that they were upon the point of overturning the 
king, who, seeing himself going to fall alive into the hands of his 
enemies, leaped down and mounted another chariot. The rest, 
observing this, fled as fast as possible, and throwing down their 
arms, made the best of their w^y. Darius, the instant he saw his 
left wing broken, was one of the first who fled in his chariot; but 
getting afterwards into craggy rugged places, he mounted on 
horseback, throwing down his bow, shield , and royal mantle. Alex- 
ander, however, did not attempt to pursue him, till he saw his 
phalanx had conquered the Greeks who obstinately opposed them, 
and that the Persian horse were put to flight ; which proved of 
great advantage to the prince that fled. In this battle, sixty thou- 
sand of the Persian infantry, and ten thousand horsemen, were 
slain ; while of Alexander's army, there fell but two hundred and 
eighty in all. ' 

Sysigambis, Darius's mother, and that monarch's queen, were 

found remaining in the camp, with two of the king's daughters, his 

son, yet a child, and some Persian ladies ; for the rest had been 

carried to Damascus, with part of Darius's treasure, and all such 

F 



62 THE HISTORY OF THE 

things as contributed only to the luxury and mag^nificence of his 
cour^. No more than three thousand talents were found in his 
©amp ; but the rest of the treasure fell afterwards into the hands 
of Parmenio, at the taking of the city of .Damascus, 

The next day, Alexander visited his royal prisoners ; and his 
noble and generous behavior on this occasion^ occasions Plutarch 
to say, that ** the princesses of Persia lived in an enemy's camp, 
as if they had been in some sacred temple, unseen, unapproached 
and unmolested." Sysigambis was distinguished by extJ:aordinary 
n^arks of Alexander's favours: Darius himself could not have 
treated her with more respect than did that generous prince. He 
allowed hertoregi^ate the funerals of all the Persians of the royal 
family, who had fallen in battle ; and, through her intercession, he 
pardoned several of Darius's nobles, who had justly incurred his 
displeasure. This magnanimous conduct has done more honour 
to Alexander's character, than all his splendid conquests. The 
g;entteness of bis manners to his suppliant captives, his chastity and 
continence, when he had the power to enforce obedience, were 
setting an example to heroes, which it has been the pride of many 
since to imitate. 

After this conquest, all Phoenicia, the capital city Tyre, only ex- 
cepted, was yielded to the conqueror. Good fortune followed? 
him so fast, that it rewarded him beyond his expectations. Anti- 
gonus, his general in Asia, overthrew the Capadocians, Paphla- 
g-onians, and others lately revolted. Aristodemus, the Persian 
admiral was overcome at sea, and a great part of his fleet taken. 
The tity of Damascus, also, in which the treasures of Darius were 
c^poisited, was given up to Alexander. 

Alejiander ne;5,t went to Sidonia, whose king, Strabo, he de- 
throned for his attachment to Darius, and permitted Hephsestion 
to elect in his sttadj whomsoever of the Sidonians he should judge 
worthy of 80 exalted a character This favourite was quartered 
at the house of two brothers, who were young, and of the most 
considerable family in the city. To these he offered the crown ; 
but they refused it, telling him, that, according to the laws of 
their countr>, no person could ascend the throne unless he were 
of the royal blood. He|)h;€stion, admiring this greatness of soul, 
which could contemn what others striv» to obtain by fire and 
sword, " Continue (sai^t'he to them) in this way of thinking, you 
who seem sensible, that it is much more glorious to refuse than to 
accept a diadem. However, name me some person of the royal 
family, who piay remember when he be king, that it was you who 
set the crown on his head." The brothers observing, that several 
through excessive ambition, aspired to this high station, and to ob- 
tain it paid a servile court to Alexander's favourites, declared, that 
they did not know any person more worthy of the diadem than one 
Abdolonymus, descended, though at a great distance, from the 
royal family : but who, at the sam» time, was so poor, that he was 
obliged to get his bread by day labour in a garden without the city. 
Hip honesty and integrity had reduced him, as well a? many more. 



GRECIAN STATES. ' 63 

to such extreme poverty. Solely intent upon his labour, he did not 
hear the clashing' of the arms which had shaken all Asia. The two 
brothers went immediately in search of Abdolonymus, with the 
royal garment, and found him weeding in his garden. When they 
saluted him kingj Abdolonymus looked upon the whole as a dream ; 
and, unable to guess the meaning of it, asked if they were not 
ashamed to ridicule him in that manner. But as he made a greater 
resistawce than suited their inclinations, they themselves waahed 
him, and threw over his shoulders a purple robe richly embroid« 
ered with gold ; then, after repet^ted oaths of their being in earli- 
est, they conducted h;m to the palace. 

Alexander commanded the new elected princfe to be sent for^ 
and after surveying him- attentively a long time, he spoke thus -. 
"Thy air and raein do n'^t contradict what is related of thy ex- 
traction ; but I should be glad to know with what frame of mind 
thou didst bear thy poverty." " Would to the gods (replied he) 
that I may bear tliis crown with equal patience '. These hands have 
procured me all I desired ; and whilst I possessed nothing I want- 
ed nothing." This answer gave Alexander an high idea of Abdo- 
lonymus's virtue ; so that he presented him, not only with the rich 
fvu'niture that belonged to Strabo, and part of the Persian plunder, 
but likewise annexed one of the neighbouring provinces to his do*, 
minions. 

The Macedonians had already subdued Syria and Phoenicia, the 
city of Tyre excepted. This city was justly entitled the queen of 
the sea, that element bringing to it the tribute of all nations. She 
boasted of having first invented navigation, and taught mankind the 
art of braving the winds and waves by the assistance of a frail bark. 
The happy situation of Tyre, the conveniency ^nd extent of its 
ports, tfke character of its inhabitants, who were industrious, labo- 
rious, patient, and ^^xtremely courteous to strangers, invited thither 
merchants from all parts of the globe : so that it might be consid- 
ered, not so much a city belonging to any particidar nation, as the 
common city of all nations, and the centre of their commerce. 

Alexander thought it necessary, both for his pride and his in- 
terest, to take the city though it was generally supposed to be im- 
pregnable from its fortihcatio.is, and inaccessible from its situation 
Alexander, however, prepared for the siege, which is one of the 
most celebrated recorded in history. After a long and obstinate 
defence on the side of the Tyrians, and a tedious and almost 
hopeless attack of the besiegers, Alexander took it by storm ; 
and thus fell Tyi-e, that had been for many ag"='s the most flourish- 
ing city in the ;vorld, and had spread the arta of commerce into 
the remotest regions. 



64 THE HISTORY OF THE 



CHAP. X. 



Whilst Alexander was carrying- on the siege of Tyre, he re- 
ceived a second letter from Darius, in which that monarch seemed 
more sensible of his power than- before : he now gave him the title 
of king, and offered him ten thousand talents, as a ransom for his 
captive mother, and wife : he offered him his daughter Statira in 
marriage, with all the country he had conquered, as far as the river 
Euphrates : he hinted to him the inconstancy of fortune and des- 
cribed at large the powers he was still possessed of to oppose. 

These terms were so considerable, that, when the king debated 
upon them in council, Parmenio, one of his generals, could not lielp 
observing, that, if he were Alexander, he would agree to such a 
proposal. To which Alexander nobly replied, "And so would I 
were I Parmenio." He therefore treated the proposal of Darius 
with haughty contempt, and refused to accept of treasures which 
he already conceived as his own. 

From Tyre, Alexander marched to Jerusalem where the Jews 
opened their gates to receive him. From this city, he went on to 
Gaza, where he found a more obstinate resistance than he had ex- 
pected ; but at length, taking the town by storm, and having cut 
the garrison, consisting often thousand men, to pieces, with brutal 
ferocity, he ordered Bcetis, the governor, to be brought before 
him ; and having in vain endeavoured to intimidate him, commanded 
at last, that holes should be biored through his heels, and thus to 
be tied by cords to the back of his chariot, and in this manner to 
-be dragged round the walls of the city. This he did in imitation 
of Achilles, whom Homer descnbes as having dragged Hector 
round the walls of Troy in the same manner : but it was reading 
that poet to very little advantage, to imitate this hero in the most 
unworthy part of his character. 

He then marched into I'^gyj^t, and possessed himself of tlie whole 
of it, without meeting with the least opposition. He afterwards 
visited the temple of Jupiter, and caused himself to be acknowl- 
edged by the priests as the son of that god. Having settled his 
affairs in Egypt, he set out to march against Darius, who was now 
preparing to oppose him. 

On his march, Statira, the wife of Darius, died in child-bed, and 
was honoured with a funeral ceremony due to her exalted charac- 
ter and station. The news of that melancholy event was carried 
to Dariua by Tricus, one of Statira's eunuchs, who had effected hia 
escape from the Macedonian camp. The news of Statira's death 
overwhelmed the mind of Darius with the deepest sorrow : but 
when he was told of the generous manner, in which the royal cap- 
tives had been treated, he broke out into this exclamation : " Ye 
gods, the guardians of our births, and who decree the fate of na- 
tions, grant that I may be enabled to leave the Persian state rich 
and flourishing as I found it ; that I may have it my power to majce 



Gi^CIAN" STATES- 65 

AUxaader a proper return for his generosity to the dearest pledges 
of my affection ! But, if the duration of this empire is near at an 
end, and the greatness of Persia about to be forgotten, may none 
but Alexander be permitted to sit on the throne of Cyrus '." Such 
sentiments in a despotic prince must give a very favourable idea of 
the liberality of his mind. 

The armies of Alexander and Darius were now hastily approach« 
ing each other, and at length met on a plain near the city of Arbela. 
The army of Darius, consisted, at least, of six hundred thousand 
foot, and forty thousand horse ; and the other of no more than for- 
ty thousand foot, and about eight thousand horse. The two armies 
engaged, and the battle was obstinate and bloody ; but the Per» 
sians were at length routed, and Darius and his army put to flight. 
Alexander then marched for Babylon, and entered that city in 
triumph, being received by its inhabitants in the most magnificent 
manner. He next took possession of Perepolis, at the head of his 
victorious soldiers ; who, though the inhabitants made no resist- 
ance, began to cut in pieces all those who still remained in the city. 
Hov/ever, the king- soon put an end to the massacre, and forbad 
bis soldiers to commit any further violence. 

Whilst Alexander was thus triumphing in all the exultation of 
success, the wretched Darius was by this time arrived at Ecbatana, 
the capital of Media. There remained still with this fugitive 
prince thirty thousand foot ; among whom were four thousand 
Greeks, who were faithful to him to the last. Besides these he 
had four thousand slingers, and upwards of three thousand Bact- 
rian horse, whom Bessus, their governor, commanded. Darius, 
even with so small a force, still conceived hopes of opposing his 
rival, or at least of protracting the war ; but he was surrounded 
with traitors, his want of success having turned all manlsind against 
him. Nabarzanes, one of the greatestlords of Persia, and general 
of the horse, had conspired with Eessiis, general of the Bactrians, 
to commit the blackest of ail crimes : to seize upon the person of 
tlie king-, and lay him in chains, vvhich they might easily do, as 
each of them had a great number of soldiers under his command. 
Their design was, if Alexander should pursue them, to secure 
themselves by giving up Darius alive into his hands ; and, in case 
they escaped, to marder that prince, and afterwards usurp his 
crown, and begin a new war. These traitors soon won over the 
troops,- by representing to them, that they were going to their de- 
struction ; that they wovild soon be crushed under the ruin of 
an empire, which was just ready to* fall ; at the same time that 
Bactriana was open to them, and offered them immense riches. 
These promises soon prevailed upon the perfidious army, the 
Greek mercenaries excepted, who rejected all their proposals witli 
disdain. Darius, thus betrayed by his generals, and pursued by 
iiis enemies, the Greeks solicited the honour of protecting his per- 
son, assuring him they wauld so do, at the expense of tke last 
drop of their blood. But his noble spirit would not suffer him to 
accept tl^e offer ; •* If my own subjects (said he) will not give me 
F 2 



«6 THE HISTORY OF THE 

protection, how can I submit to receive it from the hands of- 
strangers ?" His faithful Grecian soldiers, finding- it beyond their 
power to grant him any relief, threw themselves upon the mercy 
of Alexander ; who, in consideration of their noble spirit, foi^gave 
them, and employed them in his own service. s|l 

The traitors seized and bound their monarch in chains of gold,* 
under the appearance of honour, as he was a king ; then inclosing 
him in a covered chariot, they set out towards Bactriana. In this 
manner they carried him with the utmost dispatch ; until being 
informed, that the Grecian army was still closely pursuing them, 
they fouiid it impossible either to conciliate the friendship of Alex- 
ander, or to secure a throne for themselves. They, therefore 
once more gave Darius his liberty, and desired him to make the 
best of his escape with them from the conqueror; but he replied 
that the gods were ready to revenge the evils he had already suf- 
fered ; and, appealing to Alexander for justice, refused to follow sl 
band of traitors. At these words they fell into the utmost fury, 
wounding him with their darts and their spears, and left him to. 
linger in this manner, unattended, the remainder of his wretched' 
life. The traitors then made their escape different ways ; while 
"the victorious Macedonians at length coming up, found Darius in 
solitude, lying in his chariot, and drawing near his end. However- 
he had strength enough, before he died, to call for drink, which a 
Macedonian, Polystratus by name, brought him. On this melan- 
choly occasion, the generosity of the unfortunate monarch shone 
forth, in the address he made to this stranger : '• Now indeed (said 
he) I suffer the extremity of misery, since it is not in my power to 
reward thee for this act of humaiiity.** He had a Persian prisoner 
whom he employed as his interpreter. Darius, after drinking the 
liquor that had been given him, turned to the Macedonian, and told 
him, that in the deplorable state to which he was reduced, he how- 
ever should have the comfort to speak to one who could understand 
him, and that his last words would not be lost. He therefore 
charged him to tell Alexander, that he had died in his debt, that 
he gc-.ve him many thanks, for the great humanity he had exercised 
towards his mother, his wife, and his childred, wliose lives he had 
not only spared, but restored to their former splendour ; that he 
besought the gods to give victory to his arms, and make him mon- 
arch of the universe ; that he thought he need not entreat him to 
revenge the execrable murder committed on his person, as that 
was the common cause of kings. After this, taking Polystratus 
by the hand, *' Give him (said he) thy hand, as i give thee mine ; 
and carry him, in my name, the only pledge I am able to give of my 
ratitude and affection." Having said these words, he breathed 

is last. , . . J 

Alexander coming up a moment after, and seeing Da?ius's body, 
he wept bitterly ; and, by the strongest testimonies of affection 
that could be given, proved how intimately he was affected with 
the unhappiness of a prince who deserved better He imme- 
diately puUe(i.off his Riilitary cloak, and threw iVon Darius's body j 



S 



GRECIAN STATES. BT 

then causing- it to be embalmed, and his coffin to be adorned with 
royal magnificence, he sent it to Sysigambis, to be interred with 
the honours usually paid to the deceased Persian monarchs, and 
entombed with his ancestors. Thus died Darius, in the fiftieth 
year of his age, six of which he reigned with felicity. In him the 
Persian empire ended, after having existed from the time of Cyrus 
the Great, a period of 299 years. 

The traitor Bessus did not escape the fate due to his crimes. 
Alexander pursued him, to avenge on the murderer the death of his 
royal master. After wandering, in anxiety and horror, from province 
to province, he was delivered, by the associates of his guilt, into 
the hands of Alexander, by whom he was put to a crael death. 



CHAP. XL 



The death of Darius «nly served to enflame the spirit of ambition 
in Alexander to pursue further conquests. He crossed Parthia, 
and arrived in the province of Hyrcania, which submitted to his 
arms. He afterwards subdued the Mandii, the Arii, the Drangse, 
the Hrachosii, and several other wations, into which his army 
marched with greater speed than people generally travel. He fre- 
quently would pursue an enemy for whole days and nights together, 
almost without suffering his troops to take any rest. By this pro- 
digious rapidity, he came unawares upon nations, who thought him 
at a great distance, and subdued them before they had time to put 
themselves in a posture of defence. ^ 

Alexander, now enjoying a little repose, abandoned himself to 
sensuality ; and he, whom the arms of the Persians could not con- 
quer, fell a victira to their vices. Nothing was now to be seen but 
games, parties of pleasure, women and excessive feasting, in which 
he used to revel whole days and nights. Not satisfied with the 
buffoons, and the performers on instrumental music, whom he had 
brought with hira 6ut of Greece, he obliged the captive women, 
whom he carried along with him, to sing songs after the manner 
©f their country. He happened, among those women, to perceive 
one who appeared in deeper afiliction than the rest, and who by a 
modest, and at the same time a noble confusion, discovered a 
greater reluctance than the others to appear in public. She was a 
perfect beauty, which was very much heightened by her bashful- 
ness, whilst she threw her eyes to the ground, and did all in her 
power to conceal her face. The king soon imagined, by her air 
and mien, that she was not of vulgar birth ; and enquiring himself 
into it, the lady answered, that she was grand-daughter to Ochus, 
who not long before had swayed the Persian sceptre, and daughter 
of his son ; that she had married Hj'staspes, who was related to 
Darius, and general of a gre^t army, Alexander being touched 
with compassion, when he heard the unhappy fate of a princess «f 



68 THE HISTORY OF THE 

the blood royal, and the sad condition to which she was reduced, 
not only g'ave her liberty, but returned all her possessions ; and 
caused her husband to be soug'ht for, in order that she might be 
restored to him. This single act of generosity should draw a veil 
©ver many of his faults, 

Hitherto we have seen Alexander triumphing by a course of 
virtue, we are now to behold him swollen up by success, spoiled 
fey flattery, and enervated by vices, exhibiting a very doubtful cha- 
racter, and mixing the tyrant with the hero. Upon a charge of a 
real or imaginary plot against him, he first put Philotas to 
death, and afterwards the father, Parmenio, who was at the 
time of his death seventy 3^ears of age, and had served his 
master with fidelity and zeal, which in the end was thus rev/arded. 
Alexander, thus uniting in his person at once great cruelty and 
great enterprize, still marched forward in search of new nations, 
whom he might subdue. 

Having subdued the Massagetae, the Dahse, and other nations, 
he entered the province of Barsaria, from thence he advanced to 
Maracander, and appointed Clitus governor of that province. This 
was an old officer, who had fought under Philip, and signalized 
himself on many occasions. At the battle of the Grannicus, as 
Alexander was fighting bareheaded, and Rasaces had his arm 
raised, in order to strike him behind, Clitus covered the king with 
his shield, and cut off the barbarian's hand. This favour, howev- 
er, only advanced Clitus to a post of greater danger. One eve- 
ning, at an entertainment, the king, after drinking immoderately, 
began to celebrate his own exploits, in a manner which shocked 
all his old generals, Clitus, who was also intoxicated, contradicted 
Alexander in all his asserUons, and sung, with an air of insolence, 
verses reflecting highly on the prince, who seeing the general near 
him, he struck him dead with a javelin. The king had no sooner 
murdered his faithful servant, than he perceived the atrociousness 
of the act ; he threw himself upon the dead body, forced out the 
javelin, and would have destroyed himself, had he not been pre- 
vented by his guardsj who seized and carried him forcibly to his 
own apartment, where the flattery and persuasions of his friends 
at length served to alleviate his remorse Alexander, in order to 
divert his melancholy, assembled his army, and marched in pur- 
suit of new conquests. 

He advanced into India, which having never been a warlike na- 
tion, he subdued it with the rapidity rather of a traveller than a 
conqueror. Numberless petty states submitted to him, sensible 
that his stay would be short, and his conquests evanescent. Sail- 
ing down the river Indus, and conquering every thing in his way, 
he at last came to the country of the Oxydraci and the Mallis, the 
most valiant people in the East. However Alexander defeated 
them in several engagements, dispossessing them of their strong^ 
liolds, and at last marched against their capital city, where the 
greatest part of their forces were retired. It was upon this occ^' 
»ion, that seizingf 9, voiding ladder, himself first mounted the wa»» 



GRECIAN STATES. 69 

followed only by two of his officers. His attendants believing him 
to be in danger, mounted swiftly to succour him ; but the ladder 
breaking-, he was left alone. It was now that his rashness became 
his safety ; for leaping- fromth^ wall into the city, which was crowd- 
ed with enemies, sword in hand, he repulsed such as were nearest, 
and even killed the g-eneral, who advanced in the throng-. Thus with 
his back to a tree that happened to be near, he received all the darts 
of the enemy in a shield, and kept even the boldest at a distance. 
At last, an Indian discharging- an arrow of three feet long, it pierced 
his coat of mail, andliis right breast, and so great a quantity of blood 
issued from the wound, that he dropped his arms, and lay as dead. 
The Indian came to strip him, supposing him really what he ap- 
peared : but Alexander that instant recalled his spirits, and plung- 
ed a dagger in his side. By this time a part of the king's attend- 
ants came to his succour, and forming themselves round his body, 
till his soldiers without found means of bursting tlie gates, saved 
him, and put all the inhabitants, without distinction, to the sword. 

The wound which at first seemed dangerous, having, in the 
sp-ace of six or seven days, assumed a more favourable appearanee, 
Alexander mounted his horse, and shewed himself to the army, 
who seemed to view him with insatiable pleasure. Then contin- 
uing his voyage, and subduing the conntry on each side, as he 
passed along, the pilots perceived from the swell of the river that, 
the sea could not be far distant ; and they informed the king, that 
they already felt the breezes of the ocean. Nothing so much asto- 
nished the Macedonian soldiers as the ebbing and flowing of the 
tide. Accustomed to the gentle floods of the Mediterranean, they 
Were amazed when they saw the Indus rise to a great heighthi 
and overflow the country^ which they considered as a mark of di- 
vine resentment. They were no less terrified some hours after- 
wards, when they saw the- river forsake its hanks, and leave those 
lands uncovered, which it had 90 lately overflowed. Thus, after 
a voyage of nine ir.onths, he at last stood upon the shore ; and 
after having offered sacrifices to Neptune, and looked wishfully on 
the immense expanse of waters before him, he is said to have wept 
for having no more worlds left to conquer. Htre he put an end 
to his excursions ; and, having appointed Nearchus admiral of his 
fleet, with ordeis to coast along the Indiaw shore as far as the 
Persian gulf, he set out with his army for Babylon- 

His army sustained incredible hardships on their return : pass- 
ing through a country destitute of all sorts of provisions, they were 
obliged to feast on the beasts of burden, and were forced to burn those 
rich spoils, for the sake of which they had encountered so many dan- 
gers. Those diseases alsoj that generally accompany famine, com- 
pleted their calamity, and destroyedthemin great numbers : but the 
king's fortitude appeared to great advantage on this occasion. The 
army being in absolute want of water, some soldiers were sent to 
endeavour to find out a spring. They fortunately fell upon one ; 
but it yielded them but a very small quantity of water. With 
what they had gotten, the soldiers retiirned rejoicing to th« king. 



rO THE HISTORY OF THE 

who, instead of drinking it, poured it upon the ground, unwilling 
that his soldiers should sustain a calamity in which he refused to 
bear a part. This generous act inspired the soldiery with fresh 
spirits. 

After a march of sixty days, they arrived in the province of Ge- 
drosia, the fertility of which soon banished from the minds of the 
soldiery all their former difficulties Alexander passed through 
the country, not in the military pomp of a conqueror, but in the 
licentious disguise of an enthusiast : still willing to imitate Bac- 
chus, he was drawn by eight horses, on a scaffold in the form of a 
square stage, where he spent the days and nights in feasting. 
Along the roads where he passed, were placed casks of wine in 
great abundance, and these the soldiers drained in honour of their 
mock deity. The whole country echoed with the sound of instru- 
ments, and the howling of bacchanals, who, with their hair dishe- 
velled, and frantic mirth, ran up and down, abandoning themselves 
to every kind of lewdness This vice produced one of a much 
more formidable nature in the king*s mind ; for it always inflamed 
his passions to cruelty, and the executioner generally crowned the 
feast. 

After various combats, conquests, cruelties, follies, and ex« 
cesses, Alexander arrived at Babylon. On his approach to the 
city, many sinister omens were observed ; on which account the 
Chaldeans, who pretended to foresee futvu*e events, attempted to 
persuade him not to enter that city. The Greek philosophers, on 
the other hand, displayed the futility of their predictions. Baby- 
lon was a theatre for him to display his glory on ; and ambassa- 
dors from all the nations he had conquered were there in readiness 
to celebrate his triumphs. After making a most magnificent en- 
try, he gave audience to the ambassadors with a grandeur and 
dignity suitable to his power, yet with the affability and politeness 
©f a private courtier 

Alexander, finding Babylon, in extent and conveniency superior 
to all other cities of the East, he resolved to make it the seat of 
his empire ; and for that purpose was desirable of adding to it all 
the ornaments possible. Though he was much employed in pro- 
jects of this kind, and in schemes beyond human power to execute, 
he spent the greater part of his time in such pleasures as this mag- 
nificent city afforded ; but his pleasures often terminated in licen- 
tiousness and riot. The recollection of the cruel manner, in which 
he had put a period to the lives of some of his best friends and 
favourites festered in his mind, andxast a thick gloom over his spi- 
rits ; to dissipate which, required the application of some very 
powerful remedy. The remedy, to which he had recourse, was 
intemperance He was, of course, frequently invited to banquets, 
at which he drank so immoderately, as often to have no command 
left of himself. 

On a particular occasion, having spent the whole night in a de- 
bauch, a second was proposed : he accepted the invitation, and 
drjink to such excess, that he fell upon the floor, to appearance 



GRECIAN STATES. 71 

dead, and in this lifeless manner was carried, a sad spectacle of 
debauchery, to his palace. The fever continued, with some inter- 
vals, in which he gave the necessary orders for the sailing- of the 
fleet, and the marching of his land forces, being persuaded he 
should soon recover. But at last, finding himself past hopes, and 
his voice beginning to fail, he gave his ring to Perdiccas, with or- 
ders to convey his corpse to the temple of Ammon. He struggled, 
however, with death for some time, and raising himself upon his 
elbow, he gave his hand to the soldiers, who presssd to kiss it. 
Being then asked to whom he would leave his empire, he answer- 
ed, "** To the most worthj\" Perdiccas enquiring at what time he 
should pay him divine honours, he replied, *' When you are hap- 
py." With these words he expired, being thirty-two years and 
eight months old, of which he had reigned twelve, with more for- 
tune than virtue. 

By the death of this illustrious conqueror were fulfilled many of 
the prophecies of the sacred writers. One of them is singularly 
striking: "The temple of Belus shall be broken down to the 
ground, never to raise from its ruins." That the word of God 
might stand firm, Alexander is cut oif, at the very instant he is 
preparing to rebuild that temple, and to raise Babylon to its want- 
ed splendour. Alexander left one son, i.amed Hercules, who was 
born of Barsine, *^he daughter of Artabazu?, and widow of Memnon. 
Both Roxana and Statiraare said to have been left pregnant. 

In whatever light we view this monarch, we shall find little to 
admire, and less to imitate. That courage, for which he was cel- 
ebrarod, is but a subordinate virtue ; that fortune, which con- 
stantly attended him, was but an accidental advantage ; that dis- 
cipline, V, hich prevailed in his army, was produced and cultivated, 
by his ftther ; but his intemperance, his cruelty, his vanity, his 
passion for useless conquests, were all his own. His victories, 
however, served to crown the pyramid of Grecian glory ; they 
served to show, to what a degree the arts of peace can promote 
those of war In this pictui* we view a combination of petty states, 
by the arts of refinement, ^r^wing more than a niat«h for the rest 
of the world united, and leaving mankind an example of the supe- 
riority of intellect over brutal force. 



CHAP. XIL 



Alexander having by his last words, l«4ttte*tked his empire 
"* to the most worthy,** men who had been accustomed to nile 
with absolute power, in distant, extensive, populous, and wealthr 
provinces, must have been highly pleased to find, that their sove- 
reign's will threw no bar in their wjy to dominion or power. There 
was one, however, who appeared to have an extraordinary cUim is 
distinction : Perdiccas, to whom AleKaader, in his last momeitti« 



72 THE HISTORY OF THE 

had delivered his royal signet. Possessed of merit, equal at least 
to that of his competitors, this adventitious circumstance might 
seem to have given him a superior title to the vast object in ques- 
tion ; but his rivals were too proud to suffer an equal to be exalted 
above them, without throwing some embarrassment in his way ; and 
too fond of power to bestow a title to an empire, without advancing 
their own pretensions. Accordingly they all remonstrated, and 
opposed Perdiccas's elevation ; and, finding that they were not 
likely to succeed in their private schemes, by acting interestedly, 
they resolved to overturn his, by acting justly, in supporting the 
claims of the lawful heirs to the crown. These were Hercules, 
' the son of Alexander ; and Aridseusy Alexander's own brother. 
There was little or no contest about Aridseus's right to a share in 
the sovereignly. He had been acknowledged to he insane ; and 
that circumstance, perhaps more than his consanguinity to the 
king, procured him an easy admission to the throne. The right of 
Hercules was not so readily recognized ; his mother was not of 
royal extraction : and as Alexander had always sheM'n a preference 
to Roxana and Statira, and had, moreover, omitted to mention Her- 
cules in his last hours, his title was at once set aside ; but the ex- 
clusive right to the throne was not to be granted to one person. 
It was therefore judged proper, b)'^ all the leading men, to divide 
the sovereignty between Aridseus and the child to be born of Rox- 
ana, should it prove a son. This appointment was easily acceded 
to, as the government that was naturally to be expected from it, 
would have full scope for the exercise of avarice and ambition. 
This settlement being made, the various competitors for the Mace- 
donian empire retired to their respective employments. ^ 

Roxana being delivered of a son, whom they named Alexander, 
Olympias had been recalled to take charge of her infant grandson, 
and to sanction the new administration of Macedon by her presence. 
On her arrival at Macedon, she first let loose her savage revenge 
on Aridxus, and his queen Eurydice. Aridaeus, the son of Philip 
by a concubine, had from his infancy been subjected to that aversion 
and hatred from Olympias, which the relationship that subsisted 
between her and him naturally e:^cited. The infirmity of his un- 
derstanding was scdd to have been the effect of a portion, which 
she gave him. Cynane, the mother of Aridseus's queen, had been 
murdered at the instignation of Olympias. Amyntas, her father, 
the son of Philip the First's eldest brother, had also bee/ii destroyed 
through her contrivance : so that neither Arida;us, nor Eurydice 
his wife, could be supposed to look upon her with complacence. 
Indeed, they had every reason to apprehend bad consequences from 
her getting into power, and they set themselves to provide for the 
worst. Eurydice raised an army, and marched to meet Olympias ; 
but on the two armies meeting, the troops of Eurydice went over to 
the standard o-f Olympias, and Aridscus and his queen fell into her 
hands. 

Olympias persecuted the royal couple with all that unrelenting' 
hatred which marked her disposition : they were confined to ft 



GRECIAN STATES. n 

v|irison, which was so small, that they could scarcely turn them- 
"selves in it. Their wretched sustenance was thrown in at a little 
hole, through which passed light and air, and all the other limited 
^comforts they were permited to enjoy. Perceiving- that this bar- 
barous treatment had no other effect than to excite the compas- 
iion of the people, and fearing that their commisseration would 
ifoon be converted into indignation towards her, she resolved to 
put a; period to the miserable existence of her prisoners. She 
instructed some Thracians to enter the pi'Ison, and dispatch Ari- 
dsus, which they did witho«,it remorse , He had reigned six years 
and four months. 

This inhuman action being perpetrated, Olympias sent mes- 
sengers ta the queen, furnished with a poinard, a rope, and a cup 
of poison, desiring her to choose which she pleased. They found 
•her binding up the wounds of iter bleeding spouse, with linen 
which she had torn from her own body, and paying all that decent 
and solemn respect to the lifeless corse, which became her deplor- 
; able situation. She received the message that was brought to 
her with the great^-st composure ; and, after entreating the gods^ 
;that Olympias might be rewarded with the like present, she took 
•the rope, and strangled herself. Thus were that hapless pair cut 
off. Olympias had now seen a period to the life of Arid*eus, whom 
^she had long since deprived of every rational enjoyment, by rob- 
bing him of his understanding ; and she had completed the ruin 
of Eurydice and her family, by consigning her to an end similai* to 
that, which her violent and vindictive passions had formerly pro- 
cured to her unfortunate parents. Nor was her thirst of blood yet 
quenched : for«he caused Nicanor, the brother of Cassander, to 
be put to death. The body of Idas, another brother of Cassan- 
der, which had long rested in the tomb, she had brought forth, 
and exposed on the highway ; and an hundred Macedonians of no- 
We birth were seized and executed, on suspicion of having been 
in the interest of Cassander. At last, however, the fortune of 
war threw her Into the power of Cassander, who delivered her in- 
to the hands of those whose kindred she had murdered, and who 
thereupon-cut her throat. 

The furious contentions that now subsisted among the ^ambitious 
•surviving captains of Alexander, deluged Greece in blood, and 
brought on the most unnatural murders. Besides those horrid and 
tmnatural scenes we have already described, Roxana and her son 
Alexander were imprisoned, and treated with contempt ; and Her- 
cules, the son of Alexander by Barsine, the only remaining branch 
of the royal family, wa^ murdered about two years after. Not 
more than twenty -eight years had elapsed since the death of Alex- 
ander, and not a single branch of his house remained to enjoy a 
portion of that empire, which Philip and his son had acquired at 
the -price of tlie greatest policy, dangers, and bloodshed. Such, 
to the royal family of Macedon, were the effects of that ambi - 
tion, which had lighted the torch of war over Europe, Asia, and 
Africa. 

G 



74, THE HISTORY OF THE 

Among the lastkings of Macedon, was Philip, son of Demetri^j 
m. He had two sons, Per&eus and Demetrius ; the former o£^ 
which accused the latter of a design to assassinate the king, who 
retiring into the inner apartment of his palace, with two of his 
nobles, sat in solemn judgment on his two sons, being under the 
agonizing necessity, whether the charge should be proved or dis- 
approved, of finding one of them guilty. Perseus took care to 
procure such evidence against his brother, as might not fail of 
convicting him, and Demetrius was accordingly put to death, 
Philip, when too late, discovered that he had been imposed upon 
by a forgery, and died of a broken heart. He was succeeded by 
his son Perseus, who, some time after, was taken prisoner by the 
Romans, led in triumph through the streets of Rome, and then 
thrown into a dungeon, where he starved himself to death. 

The fatal dissention among the Grecian chiefs exposed them to 
the inroads of every neighbouring power. The Romans, after the 
defeat of Perseus, established a new form of government in Ma- 
cedon. The whole kingdom was divided into four districts ; the 
inhabitants of each were to have no connection, intermarriage, or 
exchange of possessions, with those of the other districts ; and, 
among other regulations tending to reduce them to a state of the 
most abject slavery, they were inhibited from the use of arms^ 
unless in such places as were exposed to the incursions of the bar- 
barians. Triumphal games at Amphipolis, to which all the neigh- 
bouring nations, both Europeans and Asiatics, were invited, an- 
nounced the extended dominion of Rome, and the humiliation not 
only of Macedon, but of all Greece ; for the Romans now found 
nothing in that part of the world that was able to oppose ;them. 

Greece, now sunk in that mass of nations which composed the 
Roman empire, had lost ev^ry vestige of national existence : and, 
while she was excluded from all participation in the prosperity of 
her conquerors, she shared deeply in their misfortunes. The ci- 
vil wars of Rome drenched Greece with blood ; and, when that 
war was concluded, whoever had not appeared on tlie side of the 
victor, was considered as his enemy. Greece, in common with 
the other Roman provinces, had suffered many oppressions under 
the emperors, and from the repeated invasions of barbarians, 
when the accession of Constantine the Great to the Imperial 
throne, seemed to promise to the Grecian annals a new jasra of glo- 
ry, and some comforts for their past misfortunes. 

The hope? of Greece, however, were even here disappointed ; for 
Constantine, by dividing his dominions among his three sons, in- 
volved the empire in the flames of civil war ; and his son Julian, ' 
who at last prevailed, overturned everj" thing his father had done« 
He was unable to protect the public prosperity, undermined by 
the despotism of a military government, and a general pusillani- 
mity of manners. These invited attacks on the empire on every 
side. Julian was forced to yield a considerable territory to the 
Persian monarch. In Britain, the Roman ramparts were oppoa* 
("01 in vain to the hardy vaiour of the North ; even the legionarjf 



GRECIAN STATES, 75 

troops had been found unable to sustain the shocks of the uncon- 
quered Caledonians. The German tribes renewed their inroads 
into Gaul ; Africa rebelled, and a spirit of discontent and insurrec- 
tion began to appear among the barbarian tribes on the Danube. 
In the reign of the Emperor Valens, the Huns, a new tribe of bar- 
barians, in manners and aspect more horrid than any that had yet 
appeared on the Roman frontiers, plundered and drove from their 
settlements, the Gothic tribes on the further side of the Danube. 
Gratian, nephew and heir to Valens, shared the empire with The- 
odocius, vAiom the calamities of the times raised to the possession 
of the whole. The abilities and personal valour of this prince 
bestowed on the empire an appearance of vigour during 
his reign ; but his .sons Arcadius and Honorius', between 
whom he divided the empire, brought up in the bosom of a luxuri- 
ous palace, and sunk in eftemiiiacy, were unequal to the task of 
governing an empire weakened by division. The reign of Hono- 
rius concluded tne Roman empire in the East. Alaric, the Gothic 
chief, who, twenty-five years before, deemed it an honour to bear 
arms on the side of the empire, was adorned with the imperial 
purple. Augustus, the last Roman who was graced with impe* 
rial dignity at Rome, was compelled to abdicate the Western em- 
pire by Odeacer, king of the Heruh, about the year of Christ 475, 

Amidst the calamities which attended and followed after this 
revolution^ Greece saw her magnificent cities laid in ruins, hep 
numerous towns levelled with the ground, and those monuments 
of her glory, which had hitherto escaped barbarian outrage, de- 
faced and overthrown ; while the wretched descendants of men 
who blessed the nations with science and art, were either enslaved 
by the invaders, or led into captivity, or slaughtered by the swords 
of barbarians. Without inhabitants, or cultivation, and buried as 
it v/ere in ruins, Greece was too insignificant to be an object of am- 
bition, and left to the possession of any of the rovers of those days^ 
who chose to make a temporary settlement in that desolated coun- 
try. Constantinople itself, during the greater part of this gloomy 
period, retained little more than a shadow of greatness. The 
chief inhabitants were those families who, during the incursions 
of the barbarians, had made their escape to the mountains. Such 
was the state of Greece, with little variation, from the Gothic in- 
vasion, to the final overthrow of the Eastern empire by the Otto- 
man arms, in the year of the Christian xra one thousand four hun- 
dred and fifty -three. 

However, even in the midst of war, devastation and slavery, 
Greece continued long' to be the seat of philosophy and the fine 
arts. Whatever conjecture may be formed concerning the ad- 
vancement of science in India and in Egypt, it is certain, that 
Greece was the country which enlightened, exalted, and adorned 
the rest of Europe, and set an example of whatever is beautiful 
and great. It was the genius of Greece that formed those very 
politicians and heroes, who first bent her lofty spirit under the yoke 
of foreign dominion. It was in Thebes, und&r the tuition of 



76 THE HISTORY OF THE GRECIAN STATES; 

Kpaminondas, that her heroes- M^ere trained to a l6re of g-lory, audi 
of all those arts and accomplishments of both peace and war, by 
which it is best attained. It, was a Grecian philosopher who taught^ 
Alexander how to manage the passions, and govern the minds oi^ 
men ; while the writings of Homer, by a most powerful conta- 
g-ion, inspired his mind with contempt of danger and death in the- 
parsuit of glory. As the light of Greece illuiTiihated her Mace- 
donian, so it spread over her Roman conquerors. Philosophy, lit* 
♦erature, and arts, began to follow glory and empire to Rome ins 
the times of Sylla and Eucuflus, and, in their progress, drew to- 
difTerent schools every man of rank and fashion in Italy. Wealth, 
luxury, and corruption>.and at last tyranny, banished it from Rome; 
hut while it lasted, it made up, in some degree, for the want of 
Jiberty : if it were unable to re&ist oppressive power, it sustained 
the mind in the midst of sufferings. Even in the worst of times, 
when the Roman empire was in the last period of its decline, 
amidst the ruins of the ancient world, distracted by internal divi- 
sions, and torn to pieces, by the incursions of barbarous nations 
from the east, north, and south, a succession of ingenious, learn- 
ed, and contemplative rainds, transmitted the sacred light of 
truth (which, like the sun, though eclipsed or obscured, never de- 
sertg the world) from one age to another. 

The modern Greeks, without the least political importance, arid 
sunk in slavery to a military goveroment, retain but little of their 
criginal character. The gradations, by which thatcharacter fad- . 
ed away, are clearly discernable in their history, and present to • 
the attentive eye a speculation of great curiosity and importance. 
The relaxation of manners gradually undermined the political insti- 
iutionB of the leading states of Greece, and the complete sub- 
vereion of these, reacting on manners, accelerated on the declina-- 
tion of virtue. Simplicity, modesty, temperance, sincerity, and 
good faith, fled first i the last of the virtues that took its flij^htj 
^wa* military valour. 



END OP TH'» HISTORY OF CREECE. 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 

OF THE 

PRINCIPAL OCCURRENCES AND EVENTS 

DTJRING THK 

EXISTENCE OF THE GRECIAN STATES. 

N. B. The figures at the end of the lines refer to the Date of the EvenU 
before the Birth of Christ, 

BEFORE J. c. 

Foundation of the kingdom of Athens by Gecrops - 1556 

Foundation of the kingdom of Lacedemonia - - 1516 

Troy taken by the Greeks ■= - » = . 1184 

Foundation of the city of Thebes - - - : 105S 

Homer and Hesiod lived about . - « - 844 

Foundation of the kingdom of Macedon - - 794 

Beginning of the common sera of the Olympiad - - 776 

Thales of Miletus, founder of the Ionic sect - - 640 

Draco, legislator of Athens - - # - 624 

Solon, and the other sages of Greece, lived about - 604 

Pythagoras lived about - - - - , 564 

Simonides, the celebrated poet - - = 560 

Pisistratus makes himself master of Athens - - 559 

Heraciitus, chief of the sect that bears his name - 544 

Death of Pisistratus = - . - - 526 

Battle of Marathon - , ... 491 

Death of Miltiades - . - - - - 490 

Xerxes succeeds his father Darius - - ■■ 485 

Xerxes sets- out to make war against the Greeks - - 480 

Battle of Thermopylae - - - - . 480 

Battle of Salamais, and Xerxes' retreat into Persia - 480 

Battle of Plareae - - - ^ - 479 

Pindar, the celebrated poet, flourished about - » 476 

Sophocles and Euripides appeared in Greece about - 473 

Xerxes killed by Artabanus, the captain of his guard - 472 
The Persians defeated by the Greeks, and their fleet taken, 

near the mouth of the river Eurymedon - - = 471 

Birth of Socrates .--.-„ 470 

Birth of Xenophon - 450 

End of the war between the Greeks and the Persians, which 

had continued fifty-one years - - - . 449 
Alcibiades appears in the war between the Corinthians and 

the people of Corcyra - - * - - 436 

C2 



ClfAaKOLOGTCAL TABLE. 

Beginning of the PelopQnneislan war, which lasted twenty- 
seven years - - - - . - 431 
A terrible plague raged at Athens , - - - 430 
Death of Pericles .... 429 
t-ysander makes himself master of Atheiis, and Establishes 

the Thirty Tyrants. - - - . 404 

Death of Socrates - . . . 4Q1 

Birth of Aristotle, founder of the Peripatetics - 384 

Birth of Philip, Iting^ of Macedon - ... 385 

Birth of Demosthenes - - - - 382 

Battle of Leuctra ....... 370 

Battle of Mantinea, and death of Epaminondas - 363 

Philip ascends the throne of Macedon - - . 360 

Birth of Alexander the Great - - - - 356 

Plato died - - - - . - 348 

Philip declared generalissimo of the Greeks - - 338 
Battle of Cheronese, in which Philip defeats the Athenians 

and Thebans - - - - - 333 

Thebes taken and destroyed by Alexander - -. 335 

Death of Philip, who is succeeded by his son Alexander 335 
Battle of the Grannicus followed with the conquest of almost 

all Asia Minor - - - - 334 

Battle of Issu? • - « * - 333 

Tyre taken by Alexander - - - . 332 
Alexander goes to Jerusalem, makes himself master of Gaza, 

and soon after of .all Egypt. Builds the city of Alexandria 332 

Battl© of Arbela - - - - - 331 
Dariu^ seized and put ia chains by Bessus, and soon after 

assassinated •> .... 330 
Jlthalestres, queen of the Amazons, pays a. visit to Alexander 330 

JBessus brought to Alexander, and soon after put to death 329 

i,ysippus, of Slcyon, a famous sculptor, flourished about 329 

Clitus killed by Alexander at a feast - . . 328 

Alexander's entrance into India - - - 32f 
Alexander, on his pcturn to Babylon, dies there, at the age 

of thirty-two yejurs and eight months - - 323 
CMympias, the Toother of Alexander, causes Arid xus, and 

Eurydice, Jhs wife to be put to death, as she herself is 

s«on after, , by order of Cassandei - - -. 317 
Greece reduced into a Rqviaji province, under the name of 

ftie pmiii^e ff Achia =r - . ... 146 



PREFACE 

ro 7'HK Hisrasr of ROifi^. 

The principal advantage derived ;fram the studj of History, isr 
tlie knowledge of men and things. We there ^ee mankind rising 
suddenly to the highest pitch .of- glory and grandeur, and in an in- 
stant falling again into obscurity : we are there taught, that virtue 
only is the true source of- happiness ; and .that, however prospe- 
rous and triumphant vice and wickedness may be for a time, it will 
at last sink beneath the influence of truth and justice. 

"We may look upon History as the first master that children 
should have, equally fit to amuse and instruct them, to form their 
minds, and hearts, and enrich their memories with an infinite num, 
Ijer of facts- as agreeable as useful. It is even very conducive, by 
the allurement of pleasure, which is inseparable from it, to excite 
the curiosity of that age eager to learn, and give them a taste for 
study. It is therefore, in point of education, a fundamental prin-> 
ciple, and observed in all times, that the study of History ought to 
ga before all others, and pave the way to them.^ Plutarch tells us, 
that old Cato, that celebrated censor, whose name and. virtues 
have done so much honour to the Roman republic, and, who took a 
particular care to bring up his son, himself, without relying , upon 
the care of masters, composed purposed for him, and wrote with 
iiisown hand, in large letters, entertaining pieces of i history : 
hence, said he, that child, from the lowest age, could,, without 
quitting his father's Jiouse, get acquainted with the great men of 
his country, and found himself upon those ancient patterns of pro* 
hity and virtue. 

The age we live in, and this nation in particular,, stand much ia 
needof being undeceived in an infinite number of errors^ and 
false prejudices, which almost every day increase, with respect to - 
Poverty and Riches, Modesty and Pomp, the Simplicity of Build- 
ings and Furnitare, Costliness and Magnificence, Frugality, and 
the refined Arts of Cookery : in a word, concerning almost every 
thing which n^akes the object of the contempt or admiration of 
■mankind^ The public taste herein becomes the rule of young 
people, who cannot but think that valuable, which i» valued by all ; . 
for it is not reason, but custom, that guides them.= One bad ex- 
ample alone would be capable of corrupting the minds of young 
people, susceptible of every impression. What is not, therefore, 
to be feared from them in a time, wherein vices are grown into^ 
custom, and sensuality exerts her utmost end^ay^VlTS to ^tinguis^^ 
all ag^Ujaents of honour and probity ? 



PREFACE. 

The chief end in the study of History Is to dispel the false pre* 
judices which seduce us, because they please us ; to cure and set 
us free from the vulgar errors, which we have gradually imbibed 
from our infancy ; to learn us to discern the true from the false, 
the good from the bad, and to distinguish between solid greatness 
and vain pride. 

There is no History, of what age or nation soever, which affords 
auch a variety of characters, such subjects for refleetion, as that 
©f the Romans. These considerations induced me to set about the 
following little Book, for the use of young Ladies and Gentlemen, 
on a plan different from any thing of the kind that has yet appear- 
ed. It cannot be expected, in so short a compass as this work is 
comprised, that the reader will here find a regular account of all 
the transactions of the Romans, from the building of the city to 
the fall of that great empire. Those who have attempted it, even 
in works of ten times the size, have produced little more than a 
Table of Names and Dates ; and this is an error, into which those, 
who have wrote for young Readers, have generally fallen : this is 
an error I sliall endeavour to avoid. I shall begin the History with 
the Foundation of Rome, and bring it down to the time of Au- 
gustus ; in the course of which, my principal aim shall be to no. 
tice the actions of those illustrious persons, whose names will be 
ever famous through every part of Europe, and even the remotest 
regions of the earth, where history shall be read. Above all, the 
young Readers must remember, if they mean to derive any advan- 
tage from the perusal of this little Book, that they must read it 
with attention, reflect nicely on the characters they here meet with* 
the Rewards of Virtue, and the Punishments of Vice ; they must 
remark, by what means men became great and powerful, and how 
they afterwards lost their credit and authority. By making such 
reflections as these, they will soon acquire a taste for the study of 
useful History, will become an ornament for their country, will 
grow in love with Virtue, Honour, and Prudence» and be a com- 
fort and a blessing to their parents and friends. 



A. NEW 

HOMAN HISTORYc 



CHAP. I> 

From thf Foundation of Rome ta the End of the regal G&vsrnnienii. 

The Roman empire, so inconsiderable in its beginning, but ex» 
tensive in its progressj (to a degree not to be equalled throughout 
all the nations that have existed) receired its- foundation from Ro= 
mulus, who was-the twin brother of Rhemus, by their mother, a 
Vestal virgin. Their father, according to the ignorance and su- 
perstion of^ those times, was the god Mars. He lived- at first, a- 
mongthe shepherds by plundering, and afterwards, at the age of 
eighteen, founded a smalt city on the Palatine bill; ihthe year of 
the world 3251.. 

Romulus having fbunded this city, which from his own name he 
called i?cjme, admitted a number of the neighbouring inhabitants 
into the government, selected a hundred of the oldest, by whose 
advice he might transact every thing, and nam«d them senators, 
on account of their age. Finding himsti:^ and people then with- 
out wives, he invited the neighbouring states to a show of sports ; 
and, while the Sabine virgins were fixed attentively on the sight, 
Romulus gave the signal, when immediately the Romans carried 
off 683 virgins, and married them. Wars ensued, in consequence 
of this violence ofifered to the damsels ; but he soon conquered the 
surrounding states. 

Romulus was^aid to have disappeared in a.terapest, which arose 
on a sudden, in the thirty-seventh year of his reign, and, being 
thought to have ascended to the gods, was afterwards deified.— 
However, it is more probable, that he was murdered by the senate, 
to whom his growing tyranny was become intolerable. The scna- 
tprs then governed at Rome by turns, for five days each, and, un- 
der their administration,- a whole year was completed. 

Numa Pompilius was afterwards created king, who, tliough he 
did not delight in war, being engaged in none during the whole 
course of his reign, was of . no less service to the state than Ro- 
mulus; for he establishedboth laws and customs among the Ro- - 
TOons, "who, from a habit of fighting, were now looked upon as lit- 
tle better than robbers and barbarians^ He divided the year, be- 
fore undistinguished, by any computation, into ten months, and 
founded an infinite number of sacred rites and temples at Rome, 
He dicdaf sickness -at fourscore years of age, and v/as fcuriedi 



82 ROMAN HISTORY, 

with great solemnity, being- laid m a stone coffin, and not burnt, 
according to the custom of the Romans, 

He was succeeded in the regal authority by Tullus Hostilius, 
who re-commenced hostilities, and subdued the Albi, and other 
neighbouring nations. He enlarged Rome by the addition of mount Ij 
Cselius, which was appinted for the residence of the people whoKi 
were brought from Alba, to whom the king granted all the Roman 
privileges. He incorporated the Alban nobility with the senate, 
and, afterhavingreigned thirty -two years, perished in a conflagra- 
tion of his own house by lightning, with his whole family ; but,. 
more probably, by the wicked conspiracies of those, whom neither 
reason nor philosophy could influence in those barbarous ages. 

After him, Ancus Martius, Numa'& grandson by a daughter, 
took upon him the government r he fought aguinst the Latins^ 
added the Aventine mount and Janicuium to the city, built the ci- 
ty of Ostia on the sea-shore, and died a natural death in the twen- 
ty-fourth year of his reign. 

Tarquinius Priscus next assumed the sover/eignty ; he doubled 
the aumber of senators, built a Circus, and instituted the Roman 
games; he also vanquished the Sabines, added a large portion of 
land, which had been taken from them, to the Roman territories, 
and was the first that entered the city in triumph. He made com- 
mon sewers to drain the city of the filth and carry it into the Ty- 
ber,; and it is to this prince, perhaps^ we are originally indebted 
for that useful invention. He had acquired the supreme authority 
by means not to be justified : and hov/ever justly he may have sup- 
ported his conduct as a sovereign, yet even that will not excuse tht 
manner in which he obtained it. The two sons of Ancus Martius 
(the late king) enraged to see Tarquin possessed of the kingdom, 
disguised several of their conipanions like shepherds, who, going 
to court, pretended a quarrel, and demanded justice of the king. 
Tarquin appearing, they slew him and fled ; but being apprehend- 
ed soon after, were punished with death. This happened in the 
thirty-eighth year of his reign. 

After him Servius Tullius took upon him the government, be- 
ing descended from a woman of noble extraction, though a captive 
and a slave. He also vanquished the Sabines, added three hills to 
the city, and surrounded the wall with a ditch. Me was the first 
that ordained the Census, which had been till then unknown 
throughout the whole world t their business was, to take a survey 
of the people, their effects, &c. in order to an equal taxation, and 
to make them serve occasionally in the wars. Upon this survey it 
appeared, that Rome contained, though the city had not been 
built much more than 176 years, 84,000 citizens. Be fell a vic- 
tim, in the forty -fourth year of his reign, to the cruelty of his own / 
son-in-law, Tarquin the Proud, son to that king whom he himself/ 
had succeeded, and of his own daughter, whom Tarquin had re-f 
€eived in marriage. 

Lucius TJarquin the Proud, the seventh and last of the Romaa 
kings, vanquished the Volsci, a nation not far from Rome, and r«- 



ROMAN HISTORY. ^ 

^ueed other cities. He was justly deprived of his crown for his 
tyranny and cruelty ; but the following circumstance brought that 
revolution about. 

While Tarquin was encamped before Ardea, the capital of the 
Rutuli, whom he was then at war with^, Sextus, his eldest son, who 
was as lewd and cruel as his father, fell in iove with Lucretia, the 
wife of Tarquinius CoUatinus, and daughter of Spurius Lucretius 
Trlcipitinus, a very illustrious citizen of Rome. CoUatinus car- 
ried Sextus and others to his house at Collatia, in order to give 
them a sight of Lucretia, and next day returned with them to the 
camp. But Sextus, now inflamed with Lucretia's beauty, went 
privately to Collatia, where he was entertained with great hospi- 
tality by that lady, and lodged in her house. In the dead of night, 
he found means to convey himself into her bed-chamber i when, 
drawing near to her bedside, with liis drawn sword, and thrusting 
his hands into her bosom, protested that he would kill her that in- 
stant if she made the least noise. The unhappy Lucretia, thus 
awakened from her peaceful slumbers, and seeing the instrument 
of death before herj was seized with the utmost horror and con- 
fusion. 

At first, Sextus had recourse to entreaties ; but, these not avail- 
ing, he declared, that if she refused to consent, he would first 
murder her,, and then lay his own slave dead by her side i that he 
would afterwards spread a report, that he had killed them both in 
the act of adultery. The ill-fated Lucretia, terrified at these threats, 
yielded to his impious wishes, and Sestus left her the next morn- 
ing. 

Lucretia, stung to the soul at this barbarous treatment, sent for 
her father and her husband, with whom came Publius Valerius and 
Junius Brutus. They found her involved in despair, and drowned 
in tears. She related the whole story, and rejected all thoughts 
Af consolation, conjured them to revenge her injuries. After 
this, to give them the strongest proof she could of her chastity, 
she stabbed herself to the heart. The youthful reader must here 
be cautioned, that this laiit act of Lucretia was by no means meri- 
torious, and could be justified only by the barbarous age she liv- 
ed in. 

Brutus her father, and CoUatinus her husband, raised an insur- 
rection among the common people on that account, and deprived 
Tarquin of the government. The army too, soon after, which was 
besieging the city of Ardea, with their king, deserted him ; and 
the king himself, on his arrival at Rome, found the gates shut 
against him, without hope of admittance. Thus, after he had 
reigned five-and -twenty years, he was banished with his wife and 
children. 

This happened in the year of the world 3596 ; 245 years from 
the building of the city ; thirty-one years after the ruin of the Ba- 
bylonian empire, and the setting up of the Persiim^ and 50r before^ 
the birth of our Saviour, 



.$£ ROMAN HISTORY. 

CHAP. II. 

■Fro7-n, the Commencement of the Consular State t9 the year cf 

Mome; 331. 

From this time two consuls began to becFCJlted in tlie room of 
©ne king ; for this reason, that if one of them Should entertain a- 
ny ill designs upon the state, the other, being invested with equal 
authority, might restrain him ; and it was enacted, that they should 
not hold the government for more than one year, lest, by the con- 
tinuance of their power, they should be rendered insolent ; where- 
3ts they were likely to act with moderation, when they knew that 
within ayear*s time, they were to be reduced to the level of pri- 
vate persons. 

In the first year after the expulsion of the kings, Lucius Junius 
Brutus, who had been the principal means of Tarquih*s banishment, 
and Tarquin Collatinus, Lucretia's husband, were elected consuls. 
However, the latter was soon deprived of that dignity ; for it was 
enacted, that no one of -the name of Tarquin should remain in 
Rome. Accordingly, having received all his patrimony, he quitt- 
ed the city, and Valerius Publicola was created consul in his stead. 
King Tarquin, however, who hadbeen expelled, made war upon 
Jlome ; and having dravm together-many nations, endeavoured to 
re-instate himself in hi« kingdom by force. 

In the first battle, J3rutus and Arunx, Tarquiri's sons,^lew each 
other ; but the Romans came off victorious in that fight. The Ro- 
man matrons mourned a whole year for Brutus, because he had 
so valiantly revenged the death of the injured Lucretia.^ Valerius 
Publicola chose Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus, Lucretia*s father, 
for his colleague, who dying of sickness, he next chose for his col- 
league Horatius Pulvillus. Thus the first year had five consuls : 
Tarquinius Collatinus withdrawing from the city on account of hu^ 
name, Brutus falling in -battle, and Spurius Lucretius, dying of 
, sickness. 

Tarquin having fled to Porsena, king of Thuscia, prevailed 
with that prince to undertake his defence. Accordingly, Porsena 
being arrived at the head of a pov/erful army before Rome, in or- 
der to restore Tarquinius Superbus, gained some advantage in the 
first attack, and there remained only one bridge to be taken, whieh 
would have mijide hrm master of the city. At this instant, Hora- 
tius, accompanied by two officers of great distinction, defended, 
singly, the passage with great bravery, till his own party had broke 
down the bridge ; after which he plunged, armed, into tlie Tiber, 
and though wounded in the thigh by a spear, swam over to his 
friends. 

Soon after, Mutkis Cordus desired leave from the senate to go 
to Porsena's camp, where he promised to murder that prince. The 
senate consenting, Mutius disguised himself in a Tuscan habit, 
and, being a master of the language, went over to the enemy's ar- 
my, where, instead of Porsena, with whosa he was not pew^nalif 
*ef u*inted, he killed his eewetwf^. 



ROMA.N HISTORY. 85 

Mutinus was that instant seized, and carried before the king" j 
and, on his examination, instead of making" any answer, he thrust 
his rig-ht hand into the fire, su-ying-, he puaislied it in that manner 
because it had done him no better service. The king-, being- at 
once surprised and mo^ed with compassion, ordered him to with- 
draw it, and himself returned him his sword. 

Mutius taking it with his left hand, said to the king : ** Thy 
g'enerosity has conquered him, whom fear never could. You have 
won my heart, and I will now discover to you (as a just tribute of 
gratitude which I owe you) a secret, which force could not have 
extorted. There are in the camp three hundred Romans, equally 
intrepid as myself, who have all taken an oath to destroy you, 
I was appointed first to attempt the blow : I am not sorry I failed 
in it since so magnanimous a prince as Porsena ought to be the friend 
and ally of the Romans, not their enemy. 

i'orsena, struck with this generous declaration, immediately con- 
eluded a peace with the Romans, to the no small mortification of 
Tarquin, who now found that all hopes were lost of being restored 
to his kingdom, and that Porsena would no longer afford him any 
assistance, retired to Tusculum, a city not far from Rome, and 
lived there with his wife for fourteen years, as a private person, 
and died in a good old age. 

In the fourth year after the expulsion of the kings, the Sabines, 
making war upon the Romans, were vanquished, and a ti'iumpli 
granted upon that account. Lucius Valerius, the colleague of 
Brutus, and now a fourth time consul, died a natural death, and so 
poor, that the expenses of his funeral were defrayed by contribu- 
tions raised among the people, and the matrons bewailed his death 
for a whole year, which was the same tribute they had befei^e paid 
to the memory of Brutus. His poverty arose, not from luxu!ry and 
extravagance, like that of all the great men of modern times, but 
from his love of his country. How happy v/ould England be, could 
she imitate the virtues of the Roman people. 

In the ninth year after the expulsion of the king^s, Tarquin's son» 
in-law, having raised a powerful army, in order to revenge Tarquin's 
injuries, a new magistracy, called the Dictatorship, more powerful 
than the Consulate, was created. Fronx him lay no appeal, being 
invested with absolute power for a limited time. In the same year 
too was created a master of the horse, who was to be under the di- 
rection of the dictator. 

In the sixteenth year after the expulsion of the kings, the people 
raised a sedition at Rome, under a pretence of being oppressed by 
the senate and consuls : tliey then created themselves tribunes of 
the people, as it were for their own proper judges and protectors, 
by whose means they migiit be secured against the senate and the 
consuls. 

In the eighteenth year after the expulsion of the kings, the Ro- 
mans lost several battles, and their city was near being taken by 
Qiiintus Marcius, one of tlieir own couivtrvmen, who had raised an 
H 



.s86 ROMAN HISTORY. 

?irmy In the neighbcurlng-klngfdoms ; but was at last, by bis: mother 
and wife, persuaded to draw ofFhis troops. 

Caeso Fabius, and Titus Virgioius, being consuls, three hundred 
noblemen of the family of Fabii, alone undertook the war against 
tlie Vejentes, promising the senate and people, that they would 
carry on the whole dispute by themselves. Marching out therefore 
to battle, all of them being persons of noble extraction, and each of 
whom deserved to be the leader of a powerful army, they fell in the 
fight. d»e only remained of so numerous a family, who, on ac- 
count of his tender years could not be led forth to war. After this 
the Census was held in the city, and there were found to be 119,000 
Roman citizens. 

The year following, the Roman army being blocked up in mount 
Algidum, Lucius Q.uintius Cincinnatus was created dictator, who, 
, possessing a spot of ground of about four acres, cultivated it with 
his own hands. He was found ploughing in the fields, and, having 
wiped off the sweat from his brow, he was invested with the con- 
sular habiti then went and defeated the enemy, and delivered the 
array. 



CHAP. III. 

^^rcm the Tear of i?om^ 331, to the Jirst Punic or Carthaginian War: 

•At this time the coiisular government ceased, and, instead of two 
consuls, ten magistrates, named the Decemviri, were created, in 
whom the supreme power was to be lodged. After they had acted 
with reputation for the first year,- in the second,- one of them, 
named. Appius .Claudius, attempted to debauch a young lady, 
dau£"hter to one Virginius, who had already served with reputation 
in the wars ; but her father murdered her with his own hands, that 
she might not- suffer violence from the Decemviri, and, returning 
to the army, raised an insurrection among the soldiers. Upon this 
the Decemviri were deprived of their authority, and they them- 
selves condemned. 

Soon after, the Gauls marching towards Rome, and pursuing the 
Romansjwhom theyhad defeated at about ten miles distance from the 
city, made themselves masters of the city itself, nor could any thing 
bold out against them but the capitol ; v^^hich, when they had be-/ 
sieged alongtimej and the Romans began now to be oppressed with' 
famine, Camillufe, who lived in banishment, came suddenly upon 
them, and overthrew them with very great slaughter. The Gauls 
Jhad reduced the city to ashes, and would have made themselves 
masters of the capitol by surprise had not the cackling of the sa- 
cred geese alarmed the garrison. The Romans however, agreed 
to pay the Gauls a thousand pound M^eight of gold, and the latter 
ysing false dealings in their weig^hing, a contest arose, when Ca- 



ROMAN HISTORY. SY 

miiKis, taking the gold out of the scales;, told the Gauls that it 
was the custom of the Romans to free their country with iron, not 
with gold. Immediately, a bloody battle ensued, in which the. 
Gauls were so entirely routed, that all the Roman territories were 
soon cleared of them. 

In the three hundred and sixty-fifth year from the building of 
the city, but the first after its being taken.- by the Gauls, the lorm 
of government underwent a change ; and, instead of two consuls, 
military tribunes,- invested with eonsular power, were created. 
From this time the Roman empire began- immediately to gather 
strength. 

In the year 422, a conspiracy was discovered to the striate by a 
female slave, of several women of qiiuiity, who had undertaken to 
poison their husbands. Twenty of them- being- examined^ with re- 
gard to the quality of the draug-hts found in their custody, ther 
obstinately denied their being poison-; but, being-forced to try the 
experiment upon themselves, they died soon after. Besides thesej^ 
170 were executed publickly, who had poisoixed some of the first 
people in the state. 

1 shall pass over the several battles- lost and won by the R'omans> 
and come to their wars with the Tarentines. This people lived at 
the distance of 240 miles from Rome, and v/ere the last of the? 
Italians who made a vigorous opposition to the Romans, The 
Tarentines, being almost conquered, called in Pyrrhus, king of 
^pirus, to their assistance, who derived his origin from the race of 
Achilles, He immediately passed over into Italy ; and it was then^ 
for the first time, that the Rom.ans fought with a foreign enemy„ 
Publius Valerius Lsvinus, the consul was sent out against him, 
who, taking some of Pyrrhus's-spies prisoners, ordered them to be 
led through the camp, and the whole army to be shown them, and 
the spies'then to be dismissed^ that they might inform Pyrrhus of 
what was doing among the Romans. 

A battle being fought soon after, Pyrrhus when, on the point of 
fiying, conquered by means of his elephants, which the Romans, 
being unacquainted With were afraid of ; but night put an end to 
the battle. Pyrrhus lost 13,000 men, the Romans 15,000, and 
1^00 were taken prisoners, whom Pyrhus treated with the greatest 
honour. He gave their dead lionourable interment ; and, observ- 
ing that they looked stern and menacing even in death, he lifted 
up his hands to heaven, and cried, " How easily might the whole 
world be conquered, were the Romans commanded by Pyrrhus !'* 

Pyrrhus afterwards, in conjunction with the Samnites, Lucanians, 
and Brutians, advanced towards Rome, laid all waste with fire and 
aword, depopulated Campania, and arrived at Prceneste, about 
seventeen miles distant from Rome; but soon after retired to 
Campania, for fear of the army, which pursued him with a consul 
at their head. Ambassadors being dispatched to Pyrrhus, to treat 
with him about ransoming the prisoners, they were honourably 
entertained by him, and the prisoners, without any ransom, sent 
feack to Rome, Fabricius, one of the ambassadors, he admired so 



Sg ROMAN HISTORY. 

much that, understanding he was poor, he endeavoured to win him 
over by services, and made him considerable offers ; which were 
rejected by Fabricius with disdain. 

There is something so particularly great in this Roman, and so 
contrary to every thing- we meet with in these times, that it is not 
even the narrow limits of this epitome, than can induce me to pjiss 
ovef in silence the speech of Fabricius to Pyrrhus. 

*• It would be needless (said Fabricius) for me to mention the 
experience I have had in state affairs, as well as in those of a pri- 
vate nature, since you have beeh told these thing's by others. You 
also seem to be so well informed of my poverty, that there will be 
BO occasion for me to acquaint you, that I Ijave neither money to 
put O'^d to interest, nor slaves to produce me any income, all my 
*'ealth consisting- of a little liouse and a small field, which yield 
sufficient for my subsistence. Though I am not possessed with a 
i^on^iderable estate, I never thoug-ht, nor can yet think, that my 
poverty ever did me th.e least injury, when I consider myself as one 
who shares in the publie posts, or as a privatv; man. I am raised 
■to the highest dignities, I am placed at the liead of the most ilhis- 
trlous embassies, I assist at the most August ceremonies, and am 
entrusted with the most holy functions of divine wor.sliip. When 
affairs of the highest importance are to be debrded, I have my 
seat in council, and give my opinion in them. I arii on a level with 
those who boast the greatest wealth and power : and, if I have the 
jleast cause of complaint, it is, that I am too much applauded, and 
too highly honoured by my fellow citizens. 

*• During my enjoyment of these severalejnployraents, I am not 
obliged, any more than other Romany, to expend my own money ; 
for Rome amply rewards her citizens who toil for the public good. 
We are all wealthy, so long as the commonwealth enjoys affluence, 
because it is rich only for us. By indiscriminately admitting to 
public employments both rich and poor, according as men are 
iudged worthy of them, all the citizens are thereby reduced to a 
V^vel. Rome knows no other difference or distinction than that of 
virtue and merit. ^ 

" With regard to my fortune, so far from repining at it, I look 
upon myself as the happiest of men, when I compare my condition 
to that of the rich, and I even feel, on this occasion, a kind of com- 
placency and pride. My little field, though not over fruitful, fur- 
nishes me sufficiently with ail things necessary, provided I do but 
bestow the proper culture, and preserve the produce of it. Do I 
need any thing more ? All food, when seasoned by hunger, is a- 
f^reeable to me. When I am parched with thirst, it is luxury to 
quench it ; and, when I am fatigued, I tas-te the sweets of sleep 
with exquisite pleasure. I content myself with a suit that shelters 
me from the inclemency of the weather ; and, among the several 
moveables, which may be of like use, the meanest always suit me 
best. 

" It would be unjust in me to accuse fortune, since she furnishes 
me with all that n&lure requires. It is indeed true, that, for want 



ROMAN HISTORY. S9 

of this affluence, I am prevented assisting" the necessitous, which 
is the only advantage for which the opulent may justly be envied. 
Even with my little, I assist where that little can be of service, 
and I do tny fellow-citizens all the service in my power. 

" The thoug-ht of accumulating" riches never once entered my 
mind. Being- employed so many years in the government, I had a 
thousand oppoilunities of amassing great treasures, without the 
least reproach to my integrity. Could a more favourable one be 
desired, than that which presented itself some years since, when, 
invested with the consular dignity, I was ordered to march, at the 
head of a powerful army, against the Samnites, the Lucanians, and 
Brutii ? I laid waste a vast tract of ground, I defeated the enemy 
in several battles, stormed many rich cities, enriched the whole 
army with plunder, paid to every citizen the money he had dis- 
bursed towards defraying the expenses of the war, and, after be- 
iug honoured with a triumph, deposited four hundred talents in the 
public treasury. 

"After having neglected so considerable abooty, part of whick 
I might have applied to my own use ; after contemning riches that 
have been so justly acquired, and sacrificed, to a love of- glory, 
spods taken from the enemy, would it become me, O king, to ac- 
cept of your gold I What opinion would mankind entertain of me, 
and what an example should I set to xny fellow-citizens ? I there- 
fore advise you to keep your riches, and leave me in possession of 
my poverty and reputation." 

Tlie next day Pyrrhus, trying ill methods to unsettle the mind 
ot Fabricius, ordered one pf his largest elephants, cempletely arm- 
ed, to be piac^ed behind the hangings ; and, in the midst of their 
conversation, the tapestry was drawn aside, when the elephant 
raising his trunk over tlje head of Fabricius, set up a hideous 
roar. Fabncms thosgh he had never before seen this animal, was 
not in the least intimidated, but turning e:ent]y about, and smiiinj^, 
*' Neither your gold yesterday," (said he; "nor vour terrible aifi- 
mal to day, can mak« the least impression upon me." 

Pyrrhus, being struck with the greatest admiration of the Ro- 
mans, dispatched one Cineas, the principal person about him, to 
sue for peace upon reasonable terms ; which were, that Pyrrhus 
should remain possessed of that part of Italy which he had already 
made himself master of by arms. 

These terms displeased the Romans, and answer was sent bacic 
by the senate, that he could have no peace with the Romans unless 
he retired out of Italy. The Romans then ordered, that all the 
prisoners, whom Pyrrhus had sent back, should be deemed infam^ 
ous, as bemg persons who might have defended themselves by 
arms, and never to be restored to their former condition, till they 
t^'hrve sla?n ^^ enemies, whom they were know 

wwlfn'^nf^'t' ^^P^^^^^^s returned, and being asked bvhim 
what kmd of a place Rome was, Cineas repHed that he bad^seen 
* naaon of bngs ; that is to say, that all thWe were such as bZ 
H 2 .J 



90 ROMAN HISTORY. 

rhus alone was thoug^ht to be in Eplrus and the rest of Greece. 
Pablias Sulpicius and Decius Mus, the consuls, being afterwards 
sent out generals against Pyrrhus, and a battle being fought, Pyr- 
rhus was wounded, his elephant killed, and 20,000 of his menslaihc 
Of the Romans there fell only 5000, and Pyrrhus was driven to 
Tarentum. We may hence observe, that with all the modern in- 
vention for the destruction of mankind in battle, the slaughter of 
these times is but a shadow of that of former ages. 

The year after Fabricius was sent out against Pyrrhus, the 
same who, being before among the ambassadors, could not be won 
by the offers of that prince. Their camp lying at no great distance,, 
Pyrrhus's physician came to Fabricius by night, offering to dis- 
patch Pyrrhus by poison if~he would rev\'ard him for it. 

Fabricius instantly ordered him to be bound, and carried back to 
his master, and that Pyrrhus should be informed what proposals 
the physician had made against liis life. The king was so struck 
with admiration^ that he is reported to have said, " Fabricius is a 
person of such virtue, that it is more difficult to. divert him from 
the paths of honour, than the sun from his course." 

Pyrrhus then departed for Sicily, and Fabricius, having defeated: 
the Samnites and Lucanian&, obtained a triumph. Manlius Curius 
Dentatus and Cornelius Lentulus, the consuls, were then ordered 
against Pyrrhus ; and Curius fought him, cut off his array, drove- 
h'im to Tarentum, and took his camp.. Of the enemy 23>000 were 
slain that day, and Curius Dentatus triumphedan his consulate ;, 
he was the first that brought elephants to Rome, of which he took 
four. Pyrrhus soon after retired to Tarentum, and was slain at. 
Argos, a city of Greece, by a large stone throv/n upon his head* 
from the walls, by the hand of a.woman^ whoso son.he was,on. the^ 
point of killing in the attack, . 



GHAP. IV. 



From, the CoTnmencejnent of the Jirst Punic War to the End of the. 

Second. 

In the four hundred and seventy-seventh year from the building 
of the city, though the name of Rome was now become famous, 
yet their arms had not been carried out of Italy, That it might 
be known, therefore, what the forces of the Romans were, a sur- 
vey, was taken, and the number of citizens appeared to be 262,333, 
though they had hardly ever ceased from wars since the building 
of the city; ai)d the first foreign war was declared against the 
Africans, Appfus Claudius aad Qiiintus Fulvius being consuls.. 
These fought against them in Sicily, and Appius Claudius trU 
iiropUedi over the Africans and Hiero king of Sicily. 



KOMAK HI-STORr, ^1, 

In the year following great things were doae by the Romatig^. 
who received fifty cities more into alliance. 

In the fifth year of the Panic war, which was carried on against 
the Africans, the Romans first fought by sea, having provided 
themselves with vessels properly armed. The consul Cornelius 
was trepanned by treachery ; bul Decilius, the~other consul, giv- 
ing tliem battle, defeated the Carthaginians, took thirty-one of 
their ships, sunk fourteen, mad^ eight thousand prisoners, and 
killed. three thousand more. 

Never was a victory more acceptable to the Romans, who know- 
ing themselves before invincible by land, now found they could do 
much by sea also. Caius Aquilius Floro, and Lucius Scipio, be = 
ing consuls, the latter laid waste Corsica and Sardinia, carried 
away numbers of captives from thence, and obtained a triumph. 

The Romans having taken seventy -four cities by surrender, the 
vanquished Carthaginians sued for peace, which Regulus refusing 
biit upon the severest conditions, the Africans applied to the La« 
cedjemonians for assistance ; and under their leader Xantippus, 
RegulUs was overthrown with a very great slaughter, two thousand 
men only remaining of all the Roman army ; fifteen, thousand, with 
Regulus their general, were taken prisoners, and thirty thousand 
slaia. Regulus himself was thrown into prison 

The Romans, however, prosecuted the war, and at last obliged 
the Carthaginians to sue for peace. The latter sent Regulus, ac-- 
companied by their ambassadors, to Rome, to propose terms of 
peace to the senate. Regulus had suffered five years imprison-. 
ment in Carthage, and, before his- departure from that city, he had 
been .obliged to take an oath, that he would return to it, should. 
he prove unsuccessful in his negociations, or not obtain the desir° 
ed exchange of prisoners^ 

On his arrival at Rome, he acquainted the senate with the busi=. 
ness he came on ; and being required to give his opinion freely, 
he told them, that he could not do that as a senator, having lost> 
that character from the time he had become a prisoner ; but that 
he would not hesitate to give his sentiments as a private person. 
Every bosom felt for his misfortunes, and he might easily have re- 
stored himself to Uberty, to the possession of every thing desirable^, 
his wife, his children, and his country; but it v/as inconsistent 
with the honour of a Roman. " An exchange of prisoners" (said 
Regulus to the senate) " should not be so much as thought of, 
since an example of that nature would be of fatal consec^uence to 
you : those citizens, who so ingloriously surrendered themselves 
and their arms to their enemies, are unworthy of the least pity, 
and ought never more to be employed in the service of their coun^ 
try. As to myself, I; am so far advanced in years, that my death 
aught to be considered as nothing ; whereas-you ha!ve in your, 
hands several Carthaginian generals, in the prime of life, who are 
capable of doing great services to their country. I have so much 
the true spirit of a Roman, that I cannot do any thing that is base, 
«? dlshonourabie j no? do i §q much f§{u: th^ tortures of a cruei-* 



92 ROMAN HISTORY. 

rack, as the reproach of an infamous action : t!ie former affects 
only the body, but the latter penetrates the soul," 

It was with no small diihculty the senate complied with such 
noble and disinterested advice. Reg-uius, however, left Rome to 
return to Carthag-e, unmoved either with the deep sorrow of his 
friends, or the tears of his family, though he was sensible of the 
torments that were preparing- for him. 

The moment the Carthaginians saw Regulus retiarn, without 
having obtained the exchange of prisoners, they put him to all 
kinds of torment cruelty could invent. They threw him into a 
horrible dungeon, there cut off his eye-lids, and then placed him 
in the sun, when its beams darted the strongest heat. Thev next 
put him into a barrel stuck full of nails, whose points, piercing- his 
flesh, allowed him not a moment's ease. At last, to complete 
their cruelty, they nailed this noble Roman to a cross, where he 
expired. They shortened his life, it is true, but thev brought 
eternal infamy on themselves. ' ^ 

The senate were so enraged at this piece of cruelty, that they 
delivered up some prisoners of the greatest distinction to Marcia 
his wife, who shut them into an armoury filled with iron spikes,where 
she kept them five days together without sustenance, intending to 
torture them as her husband had been. The magistrates how- 
ever, relented at what they had permitted, and gave strict orders 
that no captives should, for the future, be treated in that manner! 

Publius Claudius Pulcher, and Caius Junius, being consuls iii 
the year of Rome 504, Claudius foug-ht in opposition to the Au- 
spices, and was defeated by the Carthaginians ; for, of two hun- 
dred and twenty ships, he escaped with thirty only, ninety, toe-ethl 
er with their men, being taken, the rest sunk, and twenty thou- 
sand made prisoners. The other consul lost his fleet by shipwreck • 
but the army escaped by being- near the shore. * 

However, the Romans were afterwards more fortunate and 



and the Carthaginians only 500. The greatness of sod, in "form! 
ing and executing exploits, were equally conspicuous in' both as 
was their obstinacy in disputing for empire. The Carthaginians 
were at that time deemed the most powerful by sea, and were 
the most expert in maritime affairs ; but the Romans, though un- 
experienced in naval affairs, not only disputed the empire of the 
sea with & people, who had been deemed more powerful than any 
before them, but even conquered them in several sea ene-aee- 
ments. ° ° 

The peace, thus concluded between the Romans and Carthagi- 
ans, didnot continue many years. Those states, who delight in 
war, are never at a loss to find pretences for breaking the peace, 
I shall not enter into the causes of the rupture between these two 
great people, it will be sufhcisnt to obi?§jve, that about the yea? 



ROMAN HISTORY. 93 

525 fi"om the buildings of Rome, began the second Punic war, one 
of the most remarkable that is recorded in history ; whether we 
eonsider the boldness of the enterprises, the wisdom employed in 
the execution, the obstinate efforts of two rival nations, and the 
ready resources they found in the utmost extremity of fortune ; 
the variety of uncommon events, the assemblage of the most per- 
fect models in every species of merit and the miost instructive les- 
sons tliat occur in history, with regard to war or politics. Rome 
and Carthage, the two first cities in the world,, having already 
triedtheir strength in the first Punic war, now knew perfectly well 
what either could do ; irfthe second war, the fate of arms was so 
equally balanced, and the success so intermixed with vicissitudes, 
that the party which seemed most exposed to ruin, seemed most 
to triumph ; and, great as the forces of these two nations v.^eTe^ 
it may be almost said, that their mutual hatred was greater. It; 
seems necessary here to advise the youthful reader, should this . 
epitome induce him to pursue his historical enquiries iii larger 
works, to spare no pains in studying this part of the Roman his- 
tory. 

Hannibal, the famo\:s Carthaginian commander, undertook the 
management of the war, being then about ?7 years of age. Hav- 
ing overrun all Spain to the Pyrenean mountains, he crossed them 
with 50,000 foot and 9000 horse. Having passed the Rhine with 
great danger and difficulty, he at last came to the foot of the Alps^ 
resolving from thence to cross into Italy. 

The sight of these horrible mountains, it being then winter^ 
struck the minds of the soldiers with terror. However, Hannibal^ 
in spite of all difficulties, put the enemy to iiight, and seized upon 
a fortress, and a considerable quantity of corn and cattle- 
Advancing forward, they came to a steep and craggy path, which 
terminated in a precipice above a thousand feet deep. Here, as 
the soldiers and horses marched on nothing but ice, they found it 
impossible for them to go further ; when Hannibal, after causing 
all the new-fallen snow to be rem.oved, ordered a path to be cut 
in the rock, which was carried on with amazing patience and ar= 
dour ; for the general always animated them by his presence. 

Scipio, the Roman~commander, hearing of Hannibal's progress, 
marched forward, and the armies met at a place now called Pa- 
vaia. Here a battle was fought, in which the Romans were put 
to flight, ftnd were soon after vanquished a second time. 

In a battle, which was afterwards fought between Fhirninius and 
Hannibai, in the year 537 from the building of Rome, both parties 
fought with such amazing animosity, that they did not perceive -an 
earthquake which happened in Hetruria, the seat of war at that 
time, and which laid whole towns in ruins. In this confusion, Fla- 
mininus was slain, with 15,000 Romans, 6000 were taken prison^ 
ers, and about 10,000 escaped to Rome. 

Fabius was afterwards sent against Hannibal, who, by his pru- 
dent and cautious manag-ement, harrassed Hannibal, and kept him 
in a perpetual alarm. "After various marches, 41 annibal, without 



94 ' ROMAN" HISTORY. 

being able to bring- the Romans to a battle, found himself 
blocked up in a valley surrounded by hills. Fabius, observing this, 
detached 4000 men, who seized-tiie pass* Hannibal now findings 
himself blocked up, had recourse to a stratag-em. He ordered 
small bundles of vine branches to be tied to the horns of 2000 
oxen : the branches were set on fire in the dead of the night, and- 
the oxen drove to the summit of the hills, where the Romans were 
encamped. As soon as these creatures felt the flame they flew 
up ami down in a rage, and set fire to all the bushes and shrubs, 
that fell in their way. This sight so terrified the party who guard- 
ed the entrance, that, they quitted their posts ; when Hannibal- 
taking the advantage of their confusion, drew off his* army and^ 
escapedv 

in the year 538 after ihe building of Rome, a desperate battle 
was fought between the Carthaginians and the Romans. Luciua 
Emilius and Publius Terentius Varro were sent to succeed Fabius 
against Hannibal. Fabius assiited the two consuls, that there was. 
no other way of conquering the Carthaginians, commanded by that 
crafty and impetuous general, Hannibal, than by declining an en- 
gagement. But, a battle being. fought, -through- the obstinacy of 
VarrOj the consul, in oppos-ition to his colleague, near a village 
called Cannae in Apulia, both the consuls were defeated. In that 
fight 3000 of the Africans fell, and a great part of Hannibal's army 
was wounded. The Romans, however, never received such a 
Blow in all the Punic war, for the consul Emilius Paulus fell in the 
battle, together with twenty others of consular and praetorian rank ; 
thirty senators were taken or slain, 300 gentlemen of noble extracf 
tion, 40,00 ;) foot, and 3500 horse : three bushels of golden ringS: 
were likewise said to be taken from them on this occasion. la 
ftie midst of all these calamities, not one, however, of the Roniansj 
condescended to mention a word about peace. 

In the fourth year after Hannibal's arrival in Italy, Marcellusy. 
the consul, engaged him with success^ near Nola, a city of Cam- 
pania. About this time, Philip, king of Macedon, sent ambassa- 
dors toHannibal, promising him assistance against the Romans, 
provided that, when he had subdued them,.he, in his turn, should' 
receive assistance from Hannibal against the Grecians-; but Phil- 
ip's ambassadors being taken, and the affair thus discovered, they 
sent Marcus Valerius Lsvinus to march against them ; and Man- 
lius the proconsul, was sent into Sardinia, that state too, at the. 
solicitation of Hannibal, having deserted the Romans. Thus they 
carried on a war in four different countries at one and the sarae 
time : in Italy against Hannibal ; in Spain against Asdrubal his. 
brother j in Macedon against Philip ;. and, in Sardinia, against 
the people of that island,, and. another Asdrubal who commanded 
the Carthaginians, 

Various was the success of the war on both sides ; but, in the 
fourteenth year after Hannibal's arrival in Italy, Scipio, who had 
p,erformed so many gallant things in Spain, was created consul, 
ar.,d.sent. ifito Africa. In this man there was thought something. 



ROMAN HISTORY. 95 

-iivlne, insomuch, that it was imagined he had converse \^th the 
g-ods. He fought Haftno, the Carthaginian, in Africa, and destroy- 
-ed his army. In a second battle he took his camp, together with 
450G soldiers, 11,000 being slain. Syphax, king of Numidia, who 
had joined the Mi-icans, he took prisoner, and forced his camp. 
Sj'phax himself, with the noblest of the Numidians, and an im- 
mense booty, were sent to Rome ,; on advice of v.hicli almost all 
Italy forsook Hannibal, and he himseff was ordered by the Car- 
thaginians to returnto Africa, which Scipio was laying waste. 

In the seventeenth year after the arrival of .Hannibal, Italy was 
delivered from him, which he is said to have quitted with tears. 
Ambassadors from the CarthaginianB applied to Scipio for peace, 
fey whom they were refierred to the senate, and a truce of forty-five 
days was granted them to go to and return from Rome. Thirty 
thousand pounds weight of silver was accepted at their hands, 
and the senate orde^-ed a peace to be concluded with the. Cartha- 
ginians, on such terms as Scipio should think proper. Scipio's 
conditions were, that they should maintain no more -than thirty 
ships ; that they should pay the Romans 500,000 pounds weig'ht 
of silver, amounting^tonbout the value of 1,5^5,0001. sterling, aivd 
restore all the prisoners and deserters, 

Hannibal, in the mean time, arriving in Africa, the peace was 
■interrupted, and many hostilities committed by the Carthaginians. 
The war being carried on, Hannibal sent three spies into Scipio's 
xamp, who being taken, Scipio ordered to be led round the camp, 
and the whole arnfy shewn them, and then to be feasted and dis- 
missed, that they might tell Hannibal what they had seen among- 
the Romans. 

In the mean time both generals prepared for a battle, such as 
had hardly ever been remembered, when the skilful led forth 
their troops to war. Scipio was victorious, and Hannibal himself 
narrowly escaped being taken. He at first fled, with several horse 
which were at last reduced to only four. In this battle 20,000 
earthagiraans were slain, and as many taken prisoners ; 20,000 
pounds weight of silver, and 800 of gold, with plenty of all sorts 
of stores, were found in Hannibal's camp. After this battle, a 
peace was concluded with the Carthaginians, Scipio, returning to 
Rome, triumphed with great glory, and began from that time ,to 
be called Africanus, an honour till then unknown, no person before 
liim having assiimed the name of a vanquished, nation. Thus am- 
end was put to the second Panic war, in the nineteenth year after 
its commencement. 

It seems here highly necessary, notwithstanding the narrow 
litmits to which I am confined, to point out a few reasons, how the 
Romans came to be so victorious, and the Carthaginians so unfor- 
tunate. Carthage^, at the beginning of the secoijd. Punic v/ar, and 
in Hannibal's time, was in its decline, tlie flower of its youth, and 
its sprightly vigour, being now in a hasty decay. It had begun to 
fall: from-its exalted pitch of power, and was inclining towards its 
ruin J wlier§ig Jiojqa^ ^§ ih^n, ^ it w^re, in its Moom an4 



§6 ROMAN HISTORY. 

strength of life, and swiftly advancing to the conquest of t^ie uni^ 
verse. It is easy to see, that the declension of the one, and the 
rise of the other, was owing to the different form of government ' 
established in those republics, at the time we are speaking of. At 
Carthage every thing was in confiiS'ion, and the advice of the old 
and experienced was no longer listened to, every thing was trans- 
acted by intrigue and cabal. On the other hand, at this very time, 
the Romans paid the highest deference to the senate, v/hich was 
composed of men, more remarkable for their wisdom than their 
riches. Hence it is no wonder, that the Romans, governed by the 
greatest sages, should completely conquer a rival, in a state of 
anarchy and confusion. May- France, the Carthage of these 
modern times, ever fail in her attem.pt to sow those seditions 
amonjf us, which at last conquered invincible Romei 



CHAP. V. 

FraTn the second Funic War to the Destruction of Carthage. 

1 HE Punic wars, which had brought the Roman state almost to 
the brink of ruin, ended nevercheles to its advantage. The Ro- 
mans began more and more to know the value of riches ; and the 
polite arts flourished among them, in proportion as they grew 
better acquainted with the Greeks. The Punic war being con- 
cluded, the Romans carried their arms against Philip, king of 
Macedon. 

In the year 551 from the building of the city, Titus Quintius 
Flaminius was ordered against king Philip. He managed matters 
successfully, and peace was granted to Philip on these conditions : 
that he should not make war upon the states of Greece, which had 
been defended against him by the Romans ; that he should restore 
the prisoners and deserters, maintain only fifty vessels, and deliver 
up the rest to the Romans ;. for ten years pay a tribute of four 
thousand pounds weight of silver, and give his own son, Demetrius, 
for an hostage. 

Flaminius made war also upon the Lacedemonians, defeated 
their General, Nabis, and admitted them into an alliance, upon 
such terms as he thought proper, leading Demetrius, the son of 
Philip, Armenes, the son of Nabis, hostages of noble extraction, in 
triumph before his chariot. 

About the year 5d9, Plautus had his plays exhibited in Rome, 
where he brought comedy to great perfecton, he being a consider- 
able genius, and a perfect master of the Latin tongue, which, 
though it was not then arrived to its utmost purity, boasted evea 
at that time, a noble strength and energy. 

The Macedonian war being now finished, another was com- 
menced against AnUochu«,king@r Syria,, i|'ufeUus Comeliws Scipio, 



ROMAN HISTORY. . 9f 

and Marcus Glabrio, being- tlien consuls at Rome. To this An- 
lioclms, Hannibal had joined hiinself, having- quitted Carthage, the 
place of his nativity, fearing he should be delivered to the Romans, 
Marcus Acilius Glabrio fought with success at Achaia, the camp 
of Antiochus being taken by storm in the night, and he himself 
obliged to fly. Philip having assisted the Romans in this battlers 
had his son, Demetrius, restored to him. 

Not long after, Scipio, the consul, pressed so hard upon Antio- 
chus at Magnesia, that he was forced to draw out his army, con- 
sisting of 70,000 foot, and 12,000 horse, which Scipio attacked, 
though his force was very inconsiderable. The battle lasted, with 
^reat obstinacy, for som.e hours, when the Syrian troops were at 
last defeated ; and the king's own chariots, which were armed 
witli scythes, being driven back upon his soldiers, contributed very 
much to his overthrow. There fell this day, of the Syrian army, 
as well in the battle, as in the pursuit and plunder of -the camps 
50,000 foot, and 4000 horse ; 1400 were taken prisoners, with fif« 
teeji elephants and their g-uides. The Romans lost Jout 300 foot^, 
and tw^enty-four horse. This victory Avon the Romans, all the 
cities of Asia Minor, which now submitted to them. 

Antiochus then sued for peace, which was granted him upon the 
same conditions by the senate, though now vanquished, as were 
before offered : that he should retire out of Europe and Asia, and 
confine himself within the river Taurus, pay 10,000 talents, and 
gave them twenty hostages, and that he should deliver up Hanni- 
bal, the author of the war. 

Scipio retmfned to Rome, and triumphed with great glory. In 
imitation of his brother, he received the name ofAsiaticus, be- 
cause he had subdued Asia ; as his brother, on account of his re- 
duction of Africa, had received the name of Africanus. 

Scipio Africanus being afterwards accused by the senate of de- 
frauding the treasury, withdrew to Linternum, atownof Gampania, 
where he spent the rest of his days in cultivating the muses, and 
the conversation of learned men. He died the same year, and or- 
dered words to the following purport to be engraved on his tomb : 
Ungrateful country / thou shalt not possess 7ny ashes. Scipio Asiati" 
cus was also accused of much the like crimes with his brother, 
but escaped punishment by the means of Gracchus. At this time 
, luxury and indolence began insensibly to gain on the Romans, 
(, which is said to have been introduced by the army on their return 
- from the wars of Asia. 

As for Hannibal, after flying from place to place, to escape fall- 
ing into the hands of the Romans he at last sought an aS3dura in the 
court of Prusias, king of Bithynia. Hannibal making some stay 
there, that prince engaged him in the v/ar with Eumenes, king of 
Pergamus. He gained for Prusias several battles by land and sea, 
when Hannibal imagined, that such important services would for 
ever secure him a faithful friend in that prince. 

The Romans, however, wbuld not suifer him to rest any where - 
they dispatched Fiaminius to Prusias, to complain of his protecting-^ 
I 



9B ROMAN HISTORY. 

Hannibal. The latter knew too well the motive of this embassy, 
and therefore determined not to give his enemies the opportunity 
of delivering' him up. He at first attempted his security by flight, 
but perceiving that the seven secret outlets, which he had con- 
trived in his palace, were all seized by the soldiers of Prusias, who, 
by this treacherous action, hoped to ingratiate himself with the 
Romans, he ordered poison, which he had long kept for this mel- 
ancholy occasion, to be brought him ; and taking it in his hand, 
* Let us (said he) free the Romans from a disquietude, with which 
they have been long tortured, since they have not patience to wait 
for the death of a man, whom old age has already overtaken. The 
victory, which Flaminius gains over a naked, betrayed man, will 
sot do him honour. This single day will be a lasting testimony of 
the great degeneracy of the Romans, Their forefathers sent no- 
tice to Pyrrhus, to caution him to guard against a traitor, who in- 
tended to poison him, and that at a time when this prince was en- 
gaged in an obstinate war against them, in the very heart of Italy ; 
but their inglorious sons have deputed a person of consular dignity 
to spirit lip Prusias impiously to murder one, who is not only his 
guest but his friend." 

After calling down curses upon Prusias, and invoking the gods, 
the protectors a.nd avengers of the sacred rights of hospitality, he 
swallowed the poison, and died in the seventieth year of his age, 
being buried at Libyssa, in the territories of the Nicomedians. 

Thus fell, perhaps, one of the greatest generals the world ever 
produced, and to whom, during the seventeen years of the Punic 
wai!, only two faults are imputed ; first, his not marcl^png, immedi- 
ately after the battle of Gannse, his voctorious forces to Rome, in 
order to besiege that city 4 and, secondly, his suffering their cour- 
age to be softened and enervated during their winter-quarters in 
Capua. But this only shews, that human nature is frail, and that 
the greatest have their errors. These failings, however, are to- 
tally absorbed in the shining parts of his character : he had that 
presence of mind, even in the heat and fire of action, to take all ad- 
vantages ; and, though his army consisted of so great a variety of 
nations, who were often in want both of money and provisions, yet, 
so artful was his management, that his camp was never once dis- 
turbed with any insurrection, either against himself, or any of his 
generals. He must have been very fruitful in expedients, to be 
able to carry on, for so many years, a war in a far distant country, 
in spite of the opposition made at home by a powerful faction, 
which refused him supplies of every kind, and thwarted him on all 
occasions. He was not only the warrior but the statesman : so 1 
superior and universal was his genius, that he grasped all parts of"^ 
government ; and so great were his natural talents, that he was able 
to acquit himself of the various functions of it with glory. He 
shone as conspicuously in the cabinet as in the field, being equally 
capable to fill civil or military employments. In a word, there 
were united in his person, the warrior, the .senator, and the financiero 

About the year 586, from the building of Rome, le^rnin^ begau 



/ 



ROMAN HISTORY, 9$ 

to flourish much more than ever among the Romans, who had 
greatly improved themselves from their familiarity with the 
Greeks, and was very much encoAiraged by Scipio, (Emnus, the 
consul's son, -adopted by the son of Africanus) and by Laslius, sou 
to him w^ho had formerly done signal services in Africa. Scipio 
and Lselius, who boasted tlie fittest accomplisliments, were the 
nobl» patrons of eloquence, poetr'/, and tlie polite arts. Under 
them flourished Terence, the famous comic poet, who wrote with 
vast accuracy, and very much improved the graces of the Roman 
tongue. 

The inhabitants of Rome were now considerably increased, 
512,081 free citizens being cessed about this time. For about 
eighteen years, the Romans were employed in less important wars 
witli the Ligurlans, Corsicans, Dalmatians, Spaniards, and Mace- 
donians, all which, being considered only as so many revolts, did 
not any way endanger the Roman common\\\ialth. 

About tlie year 604, from the building of Rome began the third 
Punic war, when it was determined in the Roman senate, that 
Carthage must be destroyed. The next year, Censorinus and Man- 
lius, then consuls, were sent to Africa with 150 gallies, 80;00Q 
foot, and 4000 horse, which terrifying the Carthaginians, they sent 
ambassadors to Rome to offer an unlimited submission. Answer 
was made, that the senate of Rome granted them their liberty, tho 
enjoyment of their laws, all tlieir territories, and other possessions, 
provided that, within thirty days, they should send as hostages to 
Lilybseum 300 young Carthaginians, of the first distmction, and 
comply with the orders of the consuls. 

These severe terms were submitted to, and the hostages were 
ordered to depart ; feut the cries, groans,* and lamentations of 
their mothers at their departure, whom they were to see no more, 
is much easier to be conceived than described. 

No sooner had the Carthaginian deputies arrived at the Rom&n. 
camp, than they were told by Censorinus, that the people of Car- 
thage must immediately deliver up all their arms to him ; to which 
they were forced to consent ; and which was no sooner command- 
ed than done. 

Censorinus, having applauded their obedience, told them, that 
the Rom.an people were determined totally to demolish Carthage ; 
but that the inhabitants might remove from it, and found another 
city in their own territories, provided its distance from the sea 
did not exceed ten miles. 

The most tremendous thunder from tlie sides could not ha~ve 
more affected the Carthaginians, than did this sentence of the con- 
sul. They knew neither wliere they were, what they did or said ; 
but, tearing their clothes, rolled themselves in the dust. After 
some time, recovering from the first emotions of horror and des- 
pair, though destitute of men and arras, they shut their gates, and 
resolved to make an obstinate resistance. 

The Roman consul, thinking he had nothing to fear from them, 
Riade no great haste to march against Carthage, whose iahabitaots 



^00 ROMAN HISTORY. 

instantly set about making arms with incredible expedition ; the 
temples, palaces, and open squares, were all cliang-ed into so many 
:irsenais, where men and women worked day and night ; and be- 
cause materials were wanting- to make ropes, the women cutoff 
their hair, which amply supplied the want pf proper materials. 

The Romans marched and invested the city, but were repulsed 
at every assault, and no material advantage was gained by them 
during the whole' campaign. The sieg-e was carried on very slowly, 
and the besieged recovered their spirits, having made the boldest 
sallies, burnt their engines, andharrassed their foragers. 

The Romans being determined on the destruction of Carthage, 
and uneasy at tiie little progress, made by their generals, sent 
Scipio thither in oO?". His first business was to revive the disci- 
pline among the troops, which had been entirely neglected, and' 
then prepared to carry on tlie siege with vigour. During the 
waiter quarters, Scipio endeavoured to defeat the ememy's troops 
without the city, and in one engagement slew 70,000 of them. 

Early the next spring, Scipio, having attacked, at one and the 
same time, the harbour called Cothon, and the citadel, he then 
marched towards the forum, where was the most shocking specta- 
cle of slaughtered people ; some cut to pieces by the murdering 
weapons, others half-killed by the fall of horses ; others torn limb 
from limb, or half-buried in the eartli and. trampled on, lay mangled 
in lieaps in the most shocking manner. 

The Cai'thaginians, wearied out with these ill-sucGesses, be-. 
sought the Romans, to spare the lives of all those who should be 
willing to leave the citadel. This was granted to all, except de- 
serters ; and, in consequence tliereof, there came out 50,000 men 
and women, who v.'ere sent into the fields under a strong guard. 

Asdrubal, with his wife and two children, together with about 
900 deserters, fortified themselves in the temple of Esculapius ^ 
but Asdrubal being at last conquered by famine, and desirous of 
saving his own life, came down privately to Scipio, and threw him- 
self at his feet. The Roman general shewed him immediately to 
the deserters, vi^ho, transported with rage and fury at the sight, 
vented the most horrid imprecations against him, and set fire to 
the temple. 

As the flames were spreading, As.drubai's wife, dressing her- 
self as splendid as possible, and placing herself and her two children 
in sight of Scipio, addressed herself to him, in a loud voice, as fol- 
low : •* I call not down curses upon thy head, O Roman ; feryoii 
have acted only as the laws of war permit you ; bwt may the gods, 
of Carthage, and thou in concert with them, punish, according to 
bis deserts, the base wretch, who has betrayed his country, his 
gods, his wife, and his children." 

She then thus addressed herself to Asdrubal ; *' Perfidious 
wretch ! Thou basest of creatures ! This fire will soon consume 
both me and my children ; but, as to thee, go and adorn the gay 
triumph of thy conqueror, and suffer, in the sight of ail Rome, ^he 
tortures you have so justly merited." No sooner had she ypokea. 



ROMAN HISTORY. 101 

these words, but, snatching up her children, she cut their throats^ 
threw them into the flames, then rushed headlong- into them her- 
self, and was followad by the deserters, where they all instantly 
perished. 

Thus fell the mighty Carthage 708 years after its building, and 
about 608 years after the building of Rome. It contained an in- 
numerable multitude of inhabitants, and, being twenty. four miles 
in compass, continued burning seventeen days together. The 
conquering Scipio, after seeing this mighty pile in flames, could 
not help weeping over its ruins. He did not enrich himself with 
the spoils ©fthis'^ill. fated country, but distributed them among his 
soldiers. — Remember, youthful reader, however prosperous fortune 
may be at present, however flattering the bloom of life, calamities 
may overtake you, and though you should be happy enough to es- 
cape them, do not forget that old age, which steals imperceptibly 
on you, will one day lay you, as the power of Rome did Carthage, 
in the dust. 



CHAP. VL 
From the destruction of Carthage to the Tear of Eome Q5Q.' 

i^OON after the destruction of Carthage, the Romans likewis©- 
conquered and demolished Corinth, which was one of the finest 
and most beautiful cities in all Greece, because they had affronted 
the Roman ambassadors, sent to dissolve the confederacy, and 
to leave the cities in the g-overnment of their own peculiar laws. 
In the mean time Viriatus, a Shepherd, who made himself cap- 
tain of a band of robbers, and afterwards became general of a nu» 
merous party of men like himself, stirred up so many nations in 
Spain to rebellion, that the Romans were in danger of being dis° 
possessed of that country, Viratus having reduced Q. Fabius to 
such extremity, that he was obliged to accept of equal terms. 
C3epio, who was consul the succeeding year, refused to abide.witli 
those terms, and thereupon continued the war. This consul hav- 
ing bribed three of the friends of Viriatus^ they murdered him ia 
his sleep. This was a matter of no small disgrace to Rome, and 
particularly to Csepio. It is amazing that a people,- who had 
conquered the most powerful nations then in being, should be 
guilty of such an enormous critn^ to get rid of oneman. One 
would almost imagine, that this man had rendered himself as 
formidable to the Romans as ever was Hannibal, since they took the 
\ same road to get rid of both. 

\ In the year of Rome 612, the war was carried on with the great*- 
est vigour in Spain, where the Romans made but a very indiffer- 
ent figure, being several times repulsed by the Numantines, who 
at last obliged tli^ni to accept of a peace no ways honourabk to th^ 
Romans. 



102 ROMAN HISTOR?, 

The war proving every year more unsuccessful, the Romans har» 
ing sustained great losses, in the year of Rome 616, Macinus was 
sent to command in Spain, who was defeated in four eng-agements. 
In the last battle, the Numantines seized his camp, after attack- 
ing" them in a narrow passage, where they fought with the great- 
est advantage, and made him submit to a most inglorious peace. 

The senate was exasperated with Macinus, and refused to ratify 
fiis peace. They stripped him quite naked, and, tying his hands 
Beliind him, sent him to the enemy, that they might revenge them- 
selves on him for their breaking the ignominious ipeace he had con- 
cluded. The enemy, however, would not receive him, saying, the 
blood of one person was not a sufficient expiation for the breach 
of |iublic faith. 

The war with the Numantines continued till the year of Rome 
622 ; and, till that time, the Romans were defeated in almost ev- 
ery battle. The senate, exasperated at their ill success, now re- 
solved to send Scipio, who had destroyed Carthage. He had no 
sooner taken on him the command, than he began to restore the 
discipline of the troops, the want of which had been the chief 
eause of their ill success ; and, in fifteen months after his arrival 
in Spain, left Nuraantia in ashes. 

If we compare the Numantines with the Romans, we shall find 
that the former had as much bravery and greatness of soul as the 
latler, if we may give the name of bravery and greatness to what 
would, in these times, be consldQred as savage brutality. The 
Numantines, oppressed by famine, and despairing of obtaining 
from Scipio any otherterms, than that of surrendering at discre- 
tion, they murdered their wives and children, to prevent their fal- 
ling into the harrds of tlie Romans, and burnt them with their 
ynost precious effects : after this, they either killed themselves, 
or rushed into the midst of the Roman army, where they were all 
cut to pieces, hardly a man being left to adorn Scipio's triumph. 
This famous city, vi^ith only 4000 men, supported a siege of nine 
years against 40,000 Romaiis, v/Jiom they beat iu several battles. 
On Scipio's return to Rome, to the surname of Africanus was now 
tidded that of Namantinus. 

In proportion as Rome grew powerful in her conquests abroad, 
her citizens grew weak and enervated at home. Those, who had 
formerly been accustomed to brave the mosc threatenii^g dangers 
and the Tfnost toilsome labours, were now sinking in.to effeminacy, 
ease, and afBuence, and the love of arms were succeeded by that 
of riches and splendour. To this fatal degeneracy was owing 
the fall of the grandeur, and the destruction of the happiness of 
Rome ; their ambition and thirst after lionours and dignities ; 
their avarice, which soon banished plain dealings, justice, probity, 
and all the r.oeial virtues ; their pride, cruelty, contempt of the 
gods, andv, mercinary prostitution of every thing ; their ambition, 
which taught them the art of dissimulation, and the use of good or 
bad means to arrive at their several ends , all these, Qombined to- 
gether, hastened U\?ir destrueiion. 



ROMAN HISTORY. ^ 103 

These vices, having once taken root, like poisonous weeds, are 
tlifficult to be eradicated. The government of Rome, once so fa° 
mous for justice and lenity, now degenerated into cruelty and op- 
pression. Though tlie Romans, indeed, after this period, con- 
quered many powerful nations, though learning, and the polite arts 
were continually increasing, yet every thing was sullied at home 
by inglorious factions, jealousies and feuds, which wer^ some- 
times carried even to the destruction of each other, of which Tibe- 
rius Gracchus was the first remarkable instance. 

This man, who was of a restless disposition, had been concerned 
in the dishonourable treaty concluded by Mancinus in Spain ; and 
being reflected upon on that account by the senate, he endeavoured 
to make himself popular by taking the part of tl\e poor peasants, 
who were dispossessed of their lands by the rich ; whereby the 
public was defrauded of its revenues, and the poor of their sub- 
sistence. 

Being' elected tribune, he enacted several laws in behalf of the 
poor, which obhged the patricians to give up a considerable part 
their estates. Disputes running high between Gracchus and the 
senate, the latter commanded Mutius Scaevola, the consul, to 
defend the commonwealth by force of arms ; but he refused. 
Immediately Scipio Nasica, then Pontifex ^^axiraus, and Grac- 
chus's kinsman a person of great merit , and friend to the com- 
monwealth, went to seek Gracchus at the capitol, calling 
aloud to all those who had the welfare of tkeir country at heart 
to follow him. 

At these words the senators, the principal patricians, and the 
greatest part of the Roman knights, with such of the people, 
armed with clubs and staves, as !!ad not joined in the insurrection, 
rushed upon Gracchus, while he was haranguing the populace, 
and beat out his brains, killing also 300 of his followers at ttie same 
time. 

This was the first seditioaafter the expulsion of the kings, which 
^nded in the effusion of blood. After the fall of Gracchus, there 
was no tribune who had courage or generosity enough to espouse 
the part of the oppressed. Avarice and self-interest produced a, 
servile submission to the will of tlie great, and the regard the Ro- 
mans once had for their country was no totally forgotten. Pride 
and luxury succeeded that noble disinterestedness, to which Rome 
ewed its power and grandeur. 

In the year of Rome 625, the number of free citizens v/ho were 
cessed amounted to 330,825. In the year 631, notwithstanding 
the precautions taken to hinder Carthage ftom ever being rebuilt, 
in less than twenty-five years after its destmction, and even in 
Scipio's life-time, Caius, younger brother of Tiberivis Gracchus, 
in order to make himself popular, undertook to rebuild it, and con- 
ducted thither a colony of 6000 citizens for that purpose. The 
senate, did all in their power to interrupt it, as they were informed 
of several unlucky omens at the time of laying the foundation : 
but t'h^Q tribune?^ who were aot oyer scrupulous in re%ious mut'_ 



IC^ liOMAN HISTORY« 

ters, went on with the building' and finished it in a few days. This 
was the first colony sent out of Italy. 

Caius Gracchus being- appointed one of the triumviri for dividing 
the lands, ,^ave great offence to the Italians, who thought them- 
selves treated with great severity, and called in Scipio to their 
protection ; who did not act with that vigour the people expected. 
Not long after, Scipio was one morning found dead-'in his bed : 
his wife, Sempronia, and Cornelia, his mother-in-law, who was 
mother of the Gracchi, being suspected of having poisoned him. 
He was, at the time of his death, about fifty -seven years of age 
and possessed every qualification necessary in the warrior and the 
senator. He knew ho\r happily to blend repose and^ action, and 
how to employ his leisure witli great delicacy and taste .* he di- 
vided his time between the toils of arms, and the peacefiil study 
of the best authors : between the military labours of the camp and 
the quiet business of the senate. Herein he set an example to 
those of the most illustrious birth, as welt as to others, either dig- 
nified with titles or conquests, how necessary it is, that they should- 
improve their minds, and fortify their^ souls^ by useful study, and 
the opinions of those great personages, who lived before them. 
Human life is confined to narrow limits, and must therefore know 
little of itself: how necessary then is it, that we should call into 
our assistance such things, which, if we will but take the pains to 
inquire into, will at once shew us the paths we ought to pursue to 
arrive afglory. In reading of history, we are shewn by what 
means some have sunk into obscurity, and others raised to the 
highest pitch of grandeur ; we are thereby enabled to choose the 
good, and reject the evil, without buying knowledge at the highest 
price of experience. 

Caius Gracchus now carried things with a high hand, and even 
raised an insurrection, when the consul published a proclamation 
offering to any person, who should bring the head of Caius, the 
weight of it in gold. Caius now doubting tlie stability of the pon- 
ulace who had joined him, after so great a reward offered for 
his head, flew to a grove consecrated to the furies, on the other 
side the Tiber, where, believing it not possible for him to escape 
those who were in search of him, he prevailed with Philocrates his 
faithful slave, to kill him, after which Philocrates murdered him- 
self on the body of his master. This happened about the year of 
Rome 631.^ 

Much about this time, or soon after, Fabius Maximus, over- 
threw Bituitus, king of the Arverni, or people of Auvergne in 
, FrancCj and tsook him and his son prisoners, after killing 120,000 of 
his men. This bloody battle was fought near the banks of the 
Rhone j and Fabius Maximus, at his return to Rome, was honoured 
with a triumph. 

The king of Numidia, named Masinissa, having three legitimate 
sons, had ordered, by his last will, thkt his dominions should be 
divided among them by Scipio, which he afterwards did with the 
most iniparfial justice. The youngest of th?se sons left abo a son* 



ROMAN HISTORYo- 105 

called Jugurtha, whom a concubine had: brought him. The vir- 
tues of this young prince had rendered him the darling of the 
Numidians : he was a master of the most delicate wit, and solid 
judgment, and did not devote himself, as^ young men commonly doa 
to a life of luxury and pleasure : he used to exercise himself in 
all manly sports- with the young nobility ; and, though he exceeded 
them all in judgment and activity, he never appeared to pride him^ 
self on that consideration. 

So conspicuous an assemblage of fine talents and perfections be- 
gan to excite the jealousy of Micipsa, tij;' father's eldest brothers 
who was then king of Numidia, and thereiB^r^ resolved to ruin him„ 
For this purpose, he gave Jugurtha, the command of the forces, 
which he sent to the^Roraans, who, at that time, were besieging" 
, Numantia, under the conduct of Scipio, flattering himself, that his 
natural impetuosity would hurry him into danger, and cause him 
to lose his life. 

Micipsa was herein mistaken ; for this young prince joined to aa 
undaunted courage the utmost calmness of mind, and preserved so 
nice a conduct during the campaign, that he won the goodwill of 
the whole army ; insomuch tliat Scipio, after the destruction of 
Numantia, sent him back to his uncle with letters filled with the 
highest compliments. 

Micipsa now changed his opinion of his nephew, and determined 
if possible, to win his affections by kindness. He accordingly 
adopted him, and, by his last will, made him joint heir with his- 
two'sons. Happy would it have been for Jugurtha, had he, atler 
the death of Micipsa, shewn the same love for virtue he had dur- 
ing his life-time ; but he was one of those examples which shew- 
that politicians do not rank gratitude in the number of their 
virtues. 

At last, interest and ambition, those powerful motives to every 
evil action, prompted him to turn his thougiits on divesting the 
family of Micipsa of that right he was bound by the laws of grati- 
tude to protect. Aspiring therefore to be sole monarch of Numi- 
dia, he resolved to destroy Hiempsal and Adherbal, the two young 
princes. Hiempsal he found means to get murdered, and this was 
the first victim he sacrificed to his ambition. 

Adherbal, terrified at this wicked lleed, fled with the utmost pre- 
' cipitation into his own province ; and though not of a warlike dispo- 
sition, he found himself obliged to take up arras, as well for his own 
security, as to revenge his brother's death. Jugurtha gave him 
battle, conquered him, and obliged him to fly. Adherbal, to save 
his life, was obliged to disguise himself, under the favour of which 
be hastened to the Roman senate, to implore their assistance. 

Jugurtha was uneasy at Adherbal's escape, and the more so, as 
he had heard he was gone to Rome to claim their protection. He 
immediately sent ambassadors thither, with orders to bribe the 
principal senators, by which means they were soon brought off" from . 
Adherbal. Jugurtha therefore obtained every thing he wanted at. 
present, and Lower Numidia only was allowed to AdherbaU. 



106 ROMAN HISTORY. 

When every tiling seemed to be amicably settled, Jugiirtiiia, with- 
out paying the least I'egard to the late regulation made by the Ro- 
mans, commenced hostilities against Adherbal, and, having reduc- 
ed him to the utmost extremity, made him large promises on his 
surrender : but he no sooner saw himself master of the city, than he 
cut the Numidian garrison to pieces, and put Adherbal to death in 
the most cruel manner. 

Various were the opinions of the Romans on this treacherous be- 
haviour of Jug'urtha. ^^'e most equitable senators thought the 
tyrant ought to be insta^r^'^ destroyed ; but those, who had received 
his bribes, were of a diut^^^ntw^ay of thinking. C. Memmius, who 
had been newly electee^ ttiburie of the people, and whose greatest 
care waste curia the authority of the great, made an elegant speech 
in the senate on this occasion, in which were the following very re- 
markable words : *' Integrity is quite banished from the senate, and 
justice is fled from it : money is tlie tyrant of Rome, and the people 
have fatally experienced, that gold is the only deity of the nobles ; 
these make a public traffic of their faith and their honour. The 
glory and interest of the state are now sunk into venality, the ma- 
jesty of the empire has been betrayed, and the republic has been 
sold, both in the army, and in Rome itself." 

This speech had its proper effect, and the senators immediately 
ordered one of the consuls to cross into Africa, at the head of a 
powerful army. Long was this war, and various its successes ; Ju- 
gurtha being esteemed a second Hannibal. At last, he, who bad 
been so long accustomed to treachery and deceit, was himself de- 
livered up to the Romans by Bocchus, his father-in-law. 

It i* reported, that Jugurtha ran distracted as he was walking in- 
chains to adorn the triumph of Marius. After the ceremony was 
ended, he was cast into prison, when the lictors were so eager to 
seize his robe, that they rent it in several pieces, and tore away the 
tips of his ears, to get the rich jewels, with which they were adorn- 
ed. In this condition, he was thrown, stark naked, and in the ut- 
most terror, into a deep dungeon, doomed to be his grave, where 
he lived six days struggling with hunger. The fruitless desire of 
prolongiiag life served as a punishment to a king, who had made no 
scruple to murder his relations and principal courtiers, whenever it 
tended to gratify his ambition. 



CPAP. VII. * 

From the Tear of Rome 650, to the perpetual Dictatorship of Sylla. 

■About the year of Rome 650, and but a short time after the 
defeat of Jugurtha, the consuls Mallius or Manlivis, and Cs^pio, 
who had laeen continued -as proconsul, received a most severe 
shock on the banks of tke Rhone, losing upwards of S0,000 men. 



ROMAN HISTORY. 107 

Manlius fell in the battle; but Cxpio, unadvisedly re tuning to 
Rome, was murdered, and his body thrown into the fields. 

Two years afterwards Marius, who was now a fourth time elect- 
ed consul, marched towards the Teutones, defeated them, and 
took Teutobobus, their king-, prisoner, after a slaughter of 140,000 
men. On this account Marius was a fifth time created consul. 

In the mean time the Cimbri and Teutones, whose numbers 
were still immense, passed over Into Italy. They were engaged 
by Calus Marius and Quintus Catullus, in which battle Catullus 
gained the greatest advantage, and besides 60^000 taken prison- 
'ers, above double that number were slai^, whereby almost the 
whole nation was extirpated. Of the Roman soldiers, in both ar- 
mies, 300 only were slain. Of the thirty-three standards taken 
from the Cimbri, Marius's party took only two, but CatuUus's 
thirty.one. This put an end to the war, and a triumph 
was decreed both the consuls. In this battle, the Wives of 
the Cimbri made an unparalleled resistance from their chariots; 
but, finding the battle desperate, they murdered all ihe'ir children, 
and afterwards themselves, that they might not survive their loss. 

Marius, after this, got himself elected consul a sixth time, and 
procured L. Valerius Flaccus to be chosen his colleague, in preju- 
dice of Metellus, which he accom.plished by the most shameful 
artifices. At this time, there was not the least freedom in 
elections, every thing being decided by corruption and venality, 
and, where that failed, violence was made use of Rome, no^y 
entirely unlike what she formerly was, seems at this time to have 
been the seat of tyranny and oppression. 

Caius Marius, now the sixth time consul, as just mentioned, 
kindled the first civil war in Rome. Sylla the consul, being sent 
to take upon him the management of the war against Mithridates, 
who had possessed himself of Asia and Achaia, and detaining his 
army a little in Campania, in order to extinguish the remains of a 
dangerous war, which had broke out in Italy, Marius attempted 
to get the command of the war against Mithridates. Sylla, being 
incensed at these proceedings, marched to Rome with his army, 
and there fought Marius Sulpicius. In this battle, he slew Sulpi- 
cius, and put Marius to flight: then, having settled Cseneus Octa- 
vius and Lucius Cornelius Cinna in the consularship for the suc- 
ceeding year, he departed into Asia. 

Mithridates, who vt^as king of Pontus, and. possessed Armenia 
the Lesser, and the whole circumference of the Pontic sea, with 
the Bosphorus, first attempted to expel Nicomedes, anally of the 
Roman people, out of Bithynia, sending word to the senate, that 
he was preparing to make war upon him, on account of the inju- 
ries he had received at his hands. 

The senate sent answer back to Mithridates, that, if he did he, 
himself should feel the weight of the Roman arms. Enraged at 
this reply, he immediately seized on Capadocia, expelling the king- 
and ally of the Roman people thence. He then marched to Ephe- 



JlOB ROMAN HISTORY. 

sus, and dispatched circular letters into all parts of Asia, ordering, 
that wherever any Roman citizen should be found, they should be 
all put to death in one day. 

In the mean time, Athens also, a city of Achaia, was delivered 
into the hands of Mithridates, by Ariston the Athenian ; for 
Mitridates had dispatched his gene/al into Achaia, with 120,000 
horse and foot, by whom the rest of Greece was likewise seized. 
A battle being afterwards fcuglit by the Romans and the army of 
Mithridates, the latter was so entirely defeated, that, out of 
120,000, scarce 10,000 remained, whereas the ' Romans lost 
only 14,000 : a loss, which, in those days of blood and slaughter^ - 
was deem.ed as nothing. 

Mithridates, on receiving the news of this defeat, dispatched 
70,000 select troops to his general, 20,000 of which were slain in 
the first battle, and in the second they were all cut off. The gen- 
eral was obliged to hide himself, for three days, naked in the fens-; 
upon which Mithridates began to think of treating about peace 
with Sylla. 

While Rome was all in confusion,* being exasperated with the 
arbitrary conduct of Sylla, v/ho was then employed in the wars in 
Asia, Marius lived in a kind of exile, in an island on the coast of 
Africa, whither he had fled with his son and some Roman sena- 
tors, y/ho fQllowed his fortune. This unhappy Marius, being then 
seventy years of age, who had so long enjoyed the highest glory 
in llorae, had been forced to fly from that city on foot, unattended 
even by a single servant. After wandering some time in this de- 
plorable condition, he was obliged, in order to secure himself from 
his pursuers, to retire into a fen, where he passed the whole night, 
standing up to his neck in mud. 

Atday-break he quitted his uncomfortable place of concealment, 
in order to reach the sea-shore, hoping to meet with some vessel 
to carry him out of Italy. However, he was soon known by the 
inhabitants of a neiglibouring town, who seized him, and,^ putting 
arope about his neck, naked and covered with dirt as he was drag- 
ged him to prison ; when the magistrates, in obedience to the 
order of the senate, immediately sent a public slave to kill him, 

Marius, as soon as he saw the slave enter, guessed on what er- 
rand he came, by the naked sword he held in his hand. Marius 
then cried out, with a voice of authority, " Barbarous wretch, dar- 
est thou to assassinate Cains Marius ?" The slave, terrified at the 
jname of a man, so formidable to his nation, threw down his sword, 
and ran out of prison in the utmost terror and confusion, crying, 
" It will be impossible for me to kill Marius !" The magistrates 
looked upon the timidity of this slave, as a testimony of the gods 
to preserve the life of that great man: *' Let him go (said they) 
wherever the fates may conduct him, and let the decree of the 
senate take place against him in any other spot than this. We 
only beseech the gods to forgive us, if a superior authority forces 
us to drive from our city, the man who formerly secured all Italy 
roro the incursions of the barbarians." They afterwards provided 



ROMAN HISTORY, 109 

him with a ship, which carried him to the island of ^naria* This 
IS one of the many instances that may be produced, that nothing so 
much procures us assistance under our misfortunes, as bearing up 
against them with boldness and intrepidity. Had Marius acted 
the weak or effeminate part at this time, he must have fallen a sa- 
crifice to the unnatural war then carrying on in his country. 

Marius being informed that his son was fled to the court of the 
kingof Nurcidia, he sailed for Africa ; but a storm arising, he was 
obliged to put into Sicily, where new dangers awaited him. Scarce 
had he got on shore, when a Roman quseslor, who commanded in 
that country, attempted to seize him ; but Marius escaped to his 
ship, after losing sixteen of his attendants, who sacrificed them- 
selves to save him. 

After some days sail he arrived in Africa, and landed near Car- 
thage. Sextilius was then praetor of that province ; and as he had 
never given him any umbrage, he had no reason to expect an ene- 
my in him; but he had not been there many days, when a lictor 
came, and ordered him, in the prstor's name, to leave the country, 
otherwise he must expect to be treated as an enemy to the R-o- 
jmans. 

Marius, enraged to find that a resting-place was no where allow- 
ed him, and thM not even a corner was left him to hide his head 
in, gazed upon the lictor in deep silence. At last, an answer be- 
ing demanded, "Tell thy master," said he, "that thou hast seen 
Marius banished from his native country, and sitting on the ruins 
of Carthage," It should seem as though, by comparing his mis- 
fortunes with those of the mighty empire of the Carthaginians, he 
thereby would remind the praetor of the instability of all human 
things. 

Notwithstanding the severity of the season, he submitted him- 
self again to the ocean, and spent part of the winter in roving up 
and down those seas. However, a short time after, we see Ma- 
rius, Cinna, Carbo, and Sertorlus, marching at the head of an ar- 
my to block up Rome. Sylla being at too great a distance to be 
recalled, the senate sent for Cecilius Metellus, a very brave and 
experienced general. 

Rome was now in the utmost confusion, and the sehate, to put 
an end to these distractions, sent a deputation to Cinna, by which 
they recognized him as consul ; upon which Metellus finding af- 
fairs grow desperate, he withdrew to Liguira. Cinna then enter- 
ed the city first, attended by his guards, after having made a sol- 
emn promise, HOt to put any person to death in an illegal manner. 
Marius, after having halted at the, gates some time, and there pre- 
tended a reverence to the laws, at last threw off the voii, which, 
concealed his blood-thirsty 50ul, and rushing into the city with 8, 
party of soldiers, immediately butchered, those he had marked out 
for d'estruction. Several illustrious senators were murdered ia 
the streets, and made tlie first victims to the inglorious revenge of 
Mariu.?. He ordered their heads to be set upon the Rostra, and, 
a,s though he ^\ished to extend tus vengeance even bevond the 



diO ROMAN HISTORY. 

-grave, lie ordered the mangled bodies to be left in th€ streets, thstt 
they might be devoured by the dog'S : so soon had he Torgot how 
much he himself so lately stood in need of pity! 

Among the multitude who fell in this bloody massacre was Oc- 
tavius the consul, who was killed in his tribunal ; and Merula, the 
priest of Jupiter, hearing that he was proscribed, ordered his 
veins to be cut open, that his enemies might not have the cruel 
satisfaction of prescribing the mode of his execution. Afterwards 
fell Mark Antony, a senator of consular dignity, who, by the charms 
of his eloquence, defended himself a considerable time against the 
fury of the soldiers ; and Catullus suffocated himself by the smoke 
of coals. The furious multitude of slaves, whom Marius had ap- 
pointed the bloody instruments of his inhuman revenge, murdered 
the fathers of families, plundered houses, ravished women, and 
forced away children : at the least signal given by their inglorious 
Header, they butchered any person, and he even commanded them 
to kill all those whose salute he did not return. 

Marius, having now glutted himself with the blood of his fellow 
citizens, and a kind of calm succeeding this horrible storm, he 
began to revolve in his mind his former misfortunes, and thet dan- 
gers he had experienced both by sea and. land. These reflections 
were aggravated by the apprehension of Sylla's return, when, in 
all human probability, he should be again reduced to the like ca- 
iamities. To drive these horrible images from his mind betook 
Xo drinking, but the excess he gave into brought on him a pleurisy, 
of which he died in his seventh consulate, no man having enjoyed 
that office so many times, and in the seventiethyear of his age. 

Young Marius, inheriting both the power and cruelty of his fa- 
ther, immediately put to death several senators, who had escaped 
the first fury of the proscription. While matters were in this 
disorder and confusion at Rome, where they were taking ail pos- 
sible steps to destroy Sylla, that general was conquering Mithri- 
dates. with whom he concluded a peace on such terms -ns Sylla 
prescribed them, and then marched for Rome. 

In the year of Rome 667, on the report of Sylla being on his 
march to the city, Cinnaiind Carbo, who were then consuls, raised 
a powerful army to oppose him, but a mutiny happening in thai 
division of the army commanded by Cinna, that general w^as run 
;through the body. After his death Carbo enjoyed the consulate 
alone the remaining part of the year. 

Sylla being come to the sea- shore of Asia, his whole army bound 
themselves to him by a fresh oath. He then embarked, and land- 
fid safe at Brandusium, without meeting with the least opposition. 
While his troops were refreshing themselves, there he was joined 
by Metellus, at the head of a great body of new levied forces, and 
also by Marcus Crassus, who shared with Sylla in all the glory and 
danger of this war ; but, of all the succours Sylla was favoured 
with 01? this occasion, none gave him so much satisfaction as that 
brought him by JPompey, called afterwards Pompey the Groat, and 
?vt thftt time scarce tvvqnty -three years of age. His army eonsiet- 



JlOMAN history: 111 

ed of three leg-'ons, and he had been forced to fight his way to 
Sylla, after having- pfiven Brutus, a leader in the other party, a sig- 
nal overthrow. Sylla received Ponipey with the highest marks of 
distinction, and gave him the title of Irnperator, notwithstanding 
he had not yet sat in the senate. 

In the year of Rome 671, Carbo, being elected consul a third 
time, witl-j young Marius, in the spring both armies took the field, 
Beino-corae in sight of eacli oti\cr, Marius ofiered battle to Sylla» 
who accepted the challenge. Botli parties fougWt with incredible 
bravery, and victory was long in doubt, till Sylla found means to^ 
corrupt five cohorts, vduch turned out to the disadvantage of Ma- 
rtus, who displayed in the battle all the capacity of a veteran gen- 
eral, and the intrepid valour of a young officer : he often rallied 
his troops; returned to the charge, arid was one of the last who re= 
tired. Sylla, having now blocked up Marius in PrKneste, set out 
for Rome at the head of a detachment; and, on his arrival there;, 
the gates were opened to him. 

After having settled matters in Rome to his own mind, lie re= 
turned to the siege of Prasneste. Marias finding itnmpossible for 
him to escape, slew himself, after which Sylla put all the inhcbi- 
tants of Pfjeneste to the SAVord, the women and-children excepted. 
Sfyllathen entered Rome at the liead of his triumphant army, and 
his lieutenants possessed themselves of all the cities in Italy. Such 
was the conclusion of these lamentable civil wars, which lasted 
ten years, and occasioned the destruction of more than 153,000 
men, twenty-four of consular dignity, seven of praetorian, sixty ef 
asdllitian, and near three hundred senators. 

SyMa no sooner found himself in the absolute possession of' 
Rome, than he commenced the tyrant, and perpetrated the most" 
shocking crueltl^^s. He caused an inhuman massacre to be made 
of 6000'men, v.Iio had fled to that city, to avoid the death with 
which they we^e threatened. Not long after, he caused to be 
posted up in 'lie forum tlie names of forly senators, and 1600 
knights, all of whom he proseribed. Two divs after, he proscribed 
the hkenumcper of senators, and a multitude of the wealthiest cit- 
izens of Rome, merely for the sake of their effects. 

Such slaves as had assassinated tlieir masters were largely re- 
compensed for their treachery ; and, to the immortal scandal of 
Sylla, children were seen, their hands reeking with the blood of 
their fathers, coming to ask a horrid reward for having murdered 
them-. Quintus Aurelius, a peaceable citizen, who had always 
lived in a happy obscurity, without being known to either Marius 
or Sylla, vias proscribed and murdered, for the sake of a fine house 
he had built in Alba. Nothing was now heard of every day but 
new proscriptions, and no man was sure one liour that he should 
uot be massacred the next. - 

Sylla then seized on all the possessions, houses, and territories 
of such cities of Italy a& had, in the corrse of the civil war, sided 
witli Ma'iiuSj and gave them to hia soldiers, thereby binding them 
the stronger to his fortune and interests. After this, he eaused 



112 ROMAN HISTORY. 

himself to be created perpetual dictator, and, in this manner, the 
unhappy Romans fell again under the tyranny of one man. 



rstTz 



CHAP. VIII. 



From the perpetual JD,ktatorship of S-lla, to the Birth of Augustu& 

Cuesar. 

^YI.LA, being now appointed perpetual dictator, changed the 
form of government to his own liking; he abolished the old laws, 
enacted new ones, seized upon the public treasury, and disposed of 
every thing just as he pleased. He was as liberal to his friends as 
he was implacable and £ruel to his enemies, enriching the former 
■with the plunder of the state, and inhumanely butchering the 
latter. 

There is something very amazing in the character of Sylla, who, 
after having three years reigned with a kind of absolute dominion in 
Korae, and when there was no power to oppose his will, in the year 
of Rome 675, resigned the honovir of dictator, £!nd,tothe surprize 
of all the world, reduced himself to the condition of a private citizen, 
without fearing the just resentment of these illustrious families, 
^vhose chiefs he had butchered in the most cruel manner. It was 
not long before, that he appointed twenty-four lictors, with their 
fasces and axes, and a strong body-guard, to attend him constantly; 
but we now see him walking unguarded in the forum with sonfie of 
Kis friends, ia the presence of thousands of the people, who, struck 
with astonishment, coiisidered this unexpected change as a prodigy. 

He returned home in the evening, unattended, and as a private 
man ; and, though his conduct must have raised him a multiplicity 
of enemies, not one person dared to insult him, except a young man 
who imprudently made use of some scurrilous language. Sylla, 
however took no farther notice of it than saying-, in a kind of prophet- 
ic strain, that behaviour like this would deter any man, who should 
arrive at a high pitch of power, from resigning it. 

The Romans in general considered this resignation as the high= 
est mark of magnanimity : they endeavoured to forget the remem- 
brance of his horrid proscriptions, and in some degree pardoned 
the many murders he had been the cause of, since he had at last 
restored liberty to his oppressed country. There were those, 
however, who, with some reason, ascribed his resignation to the 
perpetual alarms he was in, lest there should be one Roman, 
who had still virtue enough left to hazard his own life in de- 
stroying a monster, who had been the death of so many illustrious 
citizens. 

Sylla, however, after shedding so much human blood, died 
peaceably in his bed ; but his body was putrified, and turned into 
hce- Historians do not asrree concerning the disorder of v. hich 



K6MAN HISTdltV. 113 

he died, and which only could account for this extraordinary inci- 
dent. He wrote his own epitaph a few days before he expired, 
which shews that he had sense enough, in spite of his insatiable 
thirst for riches and power, which drew a veil over the finest under- 
standings, to be sensible of the character he deserved, and in 
which every succeeding age have agreed. The purport of his ep- 
itaph was, "No man ever did more good offices to his friends: 
no man ever was more cruel to his enemies." His body \vas car- 
ried'in great pomp through Rome, and was the -Srst which was 
burnt in that city, in order to prevent its being treated like that of 
Marius, whose bones, by Sjlla's orders, were dug up and scattered 
about. Upon the whole, inglorious revenge seems to have been 
the darling passion of Sylla. 

After tiie death of Sylla, Rome was again disturbed by civil con- 
tentions, which no one had dared to attempt while Sylla was living. 
Ambition, and the thirst after honours and power, are not always 
centered in th^ man who has abilities to support them ; the weak 
and the giddy think, tliey can do as much as the knowing and ex» 
perienced, till they find their mistake in their ruin. 1 shall, how- 
ever, pass over these matters, and ha»ten to a circumstance, which 
seems to have given the Romans no small trouble, and which may 
serve'^K) convince us, how^ perilous it is to treat the mere appear- 
ance of danger with indifference. 

About- the year of Rome 680, a gladiator of great bravery, 
whose name was Spartacus, having escaped from Capua, with sev- 
enty of his companions', exhorted them to sacrifice their lives for 
the defence of their liberties, rather than serve as spectacles to the 
inhumanity of their patrons. Then wandering through the neigh- 
bouring countries, and increasing their number, they commenced 
a dangerous war in Italy .^ 

The senate despising Spartacus, sent at first but a few troopSj 
beaded by two pr^tors, to subdue him, thinking it beneath the 
dignity of the commonwealth to oppose the legions to a herd of 
slaves and vagabonds, Spartacus, however, cut them aU to pieces, 
which surprised and exasperated the senate. 

The affair became now a very serious matter, and the consuls 
each at the head of a very considerable army, were ordered to 
march against them. These magistrates inconsiderately persuad- 
ing themselves, that a body of slaves and vagabonds would not 
dare to look the legions- in the face, marched very carelessly to 
meet the enemy, who, taking a proper advantage of their negli- 
gence, made so skilful a choice of the field of battle, that the Ro- 
mans were put to the flight. The consuls rallied them some time 
after, and came to a second engagement ; but, to their disappoint- 
ment and disgrace, were again repulsed. 

» Spartacus, having gained this victory over the legions, soon 
found himself at the head of 120,000 peasants, slaves, and deser- 
ters, who, having no ideas of honour or humanity, spread horror 
and desolation wherever they \vent. This domestic war having 
raged three years in Italy, the senate gave the comaaand of tU^ 
K. g 



114 ROMAN HISTORY. 

Roman army to Clnnlus Crassus, who soon gave a new face to the 
gtppearance'of the war. 

Crassus soon restored good discipline among the troops, and ^\ 
convinced the Romans, that, under his command, they must either W 
conquer or die. The rebels were at first surprized, and 20,000 of 
them cut to pieces, as they were out on a party of foraging ; after 
which their army, commanded by Spartacus himself, was defeated 
in a pitched battle : however, he determined once more to try 
the fate of arms, and accordingly very skilfully drew up his forces 
an order of battle. A horse being brought him just before the 
battle, he drew his sword, killed it, and then, turning about to his 
Soldiers, said, " If I am victorious I shall not want a horse ; and 
iif we are defeated, I will not make use of one.'* 

This reply so animated his soldiers, that they fought with the ut- 
most fury, and victory remained doubtful for a long time ; but, at 
last, the valour of the legions carried every thing before it. A ter- 
rible slaughter was made of these vagabonds : Spartacus himself 
being wounded in the thigh by a javelin, defended himself obsti- 
nately on his knees, holding his shield in one hand, and his sword 
with the other ; but, being at last covered with wounds, he fell on 
aheap, either of Romans whom he had sacrificed to his fury, or of 
his own soldiers, who had lost their lives in defending him. Such 
of them as escaped were afterwards all cut to pieces by Pompey^ 
who met them in his return from Spain. 

About this time, anno 682, Rome was found to contain 450,009 
free citizens, notwithstanding the long and bleody wars they had 
been engaged in. Learning and the polite arts, gained ground, 
considerably, and with them corruption, faction, pride and effemi- 
nacy. 

In the mean time the war was going on against Mithridates, who 
had fled to Tigranes, king of Armenia. It may not be amiss here 
to mention one instance of the vanity and ostentation of this Arme- 
man king. Having obtained some conquests, he was grown so in- 
supportably proud, that he obliged four kings, whom he had taken 
prisoners, to run by his side, like so many footmen ; and, when he 
-WB.S seated on his throne, made them stand before him in a de- 
jected posture, with unfolded arms. — Deluded Tigranes, blinded 
with vanity and presumption, you could not reflect on the short 
duration of human life, and that even thatrlife, short as it is, is every 
moment producing unexpected vicissitudes ! You could not fore- 
see, that you, who then thought yourself a god, would, in a short 
time, be conquered by the Roman LucuUus ; that your own capitol 
would be taken by that general, and yourself driven to distress 1 
Happy those,^ whom misfortunes teach wisdom i but happier those 
whose wisdom prevents them ! 

About the year of Rome 684, Crassus and Pompey being elect- 
ted consuls, each endeavoured to excel the other in the affection* 
@f the people, not on laudable, but on ambitious motives. Cras- 
sus, in order to gain them to his interest, ordered a thousand ta- 
bles to be spread, and gave an €iitertainment to tlie whole city» 



ROMAN HISTORY. tW 

At the same time, he distributed among the lower sort of people 
corn sufficient to subsist them three months. Crassus was im- 
mensely rich ; and, by such public and liberal artifices, the great 
men in Rome purchased the votes of the people, 

Pompey, on his side, in order to ingratiate himself with the tri-.- 
bunesof the people, restored to those magistrates all the authority 
of which Sylla had deprived them. Thus these ambitious men in 
tui'n sported with the laws ; increased the power of the senate one 
moment, and in the next, that of the people, just as it suited their 
different interests, Pompey, however, carried his point ; for the 
tribunes soou after, gave him the command against some pirates 
who infested the coast of Cilicia, and invested him with absolute 
authority. Be was allowed 500 ships, 120^000 foot, 50QQ horses, 
6000 Attic talents, and the power of choosing fifteen lieutenants 
out of tlie senate. 

Witii these forces Pompey took near 400 ships- and 120 forts 
killing 10,000 men. — Thus, in one campaign, he put an end to the 
war, behaving with great clemency towards the vanquished, and 
was honoured with a triumphs Pompey was now so high in esteem 
with the people, that they took from *Lucullus the command of 
the army in Asia, then employed against MithridateSj and gave it 
to him. Indeed, Pompey was now raised by the people to as 
high a pitch of pov/er as ever Sylla had acquired by his sword. 

Notwithstanding all the cabals vi^hich were raised at Rome against 
LucuUus, in favour of Pompey, the former on his return was hon- 
oured v/ith a triumph ; for he brought with liira, among other 
spoils, a great number of valuable books, of which he composed- 
a library. A.t his triumph were exhibited things of immense 
value, and in particular a statue of Mithridates, of solid gold, six 
feet high, and his shield, enriched with a great number of pre- 
cious stones. After his triumph, he ingloriously sunk into luxurj 
and effeminacy.. 

Pompey, in the mean time, pushed Mithridates closely ; and^. 
having defeated him in several battles, obhged him to fly from 
plq,ce to place for shelter. The time too was now come, when 
Tisanes, that proud and haughty king of Armenia, was to be 
conv^inced, that tlie tide of human affairs does not always carry us- 
through the flowery meadows of prosperity, Tigranes-, being re- 
duced to the utmost extremities, went and threw himself at the 
Roman general's feet, gave him- his diadem, and sued for peace, ,. 
Pompey returned the monarch his crown, and granted him peace 
upon certain conditions, which were gladly complied with. Pom- 
pey seems to have differed very much from many of the Romaa 
generals, as he does not appear to have added cruelty to ambi- 
tion. 

In the year of Rome, 689, Pompey crossed mount Taurus, and 
directed his march against Darius, the Mede, and Antiochus, 
king of Syria, for molesting the Roman allies, qr succouring their 
enemies. Much about this time, Mithridates sent to Pompey to- 
5u« fgr peace, Pompey sent back for i^nswer, that if he intended 



116 ROMAN HISTORY. 

to make peace with him, he must come himself in person. Mithri- 
dates could not persuade himself to this, and therefore renewed 
his warlike preparations. After this several of his g-arrisons revolt- 
ed ; and mafjy of his friends, with one of his sons, suffered death 
on the occasion- 

Mithridatcs determined to cross into Europe, to advance into 
Italy, and there make the same havock as Hannibal had done be- 
fore him i bufe his soldiers, terrified at the dangers it threatened, 
refused to follow him : they looked upon him as a desperate prince 
who, rather than live in obscurity, was determined to die with glory. 
These mi g-hty projects he had thus formed, hastened his ruin ; 
for his son, Pharnaces, taking- the advantage of t%ds temper af the 
troops, stirred them up to rebellioiv and got himself proclaimed 
king. 

Mithridates perceiving this from an upper room, sent a messen- 
gT?r, desiring that he might have leave to depart; but his son; 
sent him back this base and unnatural answer, that he must die. 
Mithridates, justly exasperated with this ans:wer, uttered many 
terrible imprecations, and wished that his son might one day re- 
ceive the same message from his own offspring. How terrible 
must be the reflection, that this son, whom he had tenderly loved 
and intended for his successor, was the very person who pronoun- 
ced his destruction. And now, rather than fall into the hands of 
the Romans, life being become insupportable, he determined to 
dispatch himself. 

He first gave poison to his wives, his daughters, and his concu- 
bines, who all swallowed the fatal dmught without the least mur- 
muring, and then swallowed a dose himself; but, as he had been 
accustomed to take antidotes, this had no effect on him. He therv 
begged an ofhcer, his attendant, to kill him, who run him through 
the body. Thus ended the Mithridatic war, having continued 
twenty five years ; after which all his' dominions were added to the 
Roman empire. 

Pompey was at that time marching towards Jerusalem, and G4- 
binius, Pompey 's lieutenant, having already taken the city, there 
yemained only the citadel to attack, which was vigourously defend- 
ed by a party that had retired thither. Pompey invested it^the 
day after his arrival ; and, having lain before it three moi^ths, car- 
ried it on a sabbath-day, and that with the greatest ease ; for the 
Jews would not take up arms, even in their own defence, on that 
day. 

Pompey vent into the temple at the time the sacrifices were 
performing, and cut to pieces 12,000 Jews. He and many of his 
followers entered the Holy of Holies, where he viewed those 
things, which nono but the priests were allowed to behold. How- 
ever, he shewed so much veneration for the place, that he forbore 
touching any thing. Judea was reduced under the consulship of 
Cicero, the &ame year that Augustus C^sar was honi. 



ROMAN HISTORY, II? 



CHAP. IX. 



Frcyin the Birth of Augustus Casar to the Beginnings ofthejirst Trium" 

virate. 

Soon after the birth of Augustas Caesar, one of the most dan- 
gerous conspiracies broke out that bad ever threatened Rome. At 
the head of this conspiracy was Lucius Serg-ius Cataline, who was 
descended from a very illustrious patrician family of great antiquity. 
He had been brought up amidst the tumults and disorders of a civil 
war, and had been the instrument of the cruelties of Sylla, to whom 
he was devoted. Cataline had been accused of debauching a vestal 
virgin, and was even suspected of murdering his son for the love of 
another woman. Destitute of either morals or probity, he dis- 
covered not the least veneration for the gods ; and, being ever dis- 
guaced with the present, was always unhappy with respect to the 
future, 

Tnough master of a ^e^^ abilitieir, he was bold, rash, and intre- 
pid, and had not even prudence enough properly to conceal his 
own infernal designs, where it was necessary he should to prevent 
their mis.cfj.riage. As extravagance is the first cause of the viola- 
tion of all laws, so Cataline, having contracted vast deH^s, and be- 
ing unable to pay them, grew desperate, and aimed at nothing \es3^ 
than the highest and most lucrative employments. For this pur- 
pose, he associated himself with those young Romans^ whose ex- 
cesses in the freedom of wine, women, anfi gaming, had ruined 
their fortunes, and rendered them the contejnpt of every discern- 
ing person in the city. 

These abaridoned wretches formed a horrid conspiracy to mur- 
der the consuls, and put to death the greatest part of the senators. 
Even the day was fixed, which was to have given birth to the most 
infamous attempt that ever happened in the commonwealth, since 
the foundation of Rome. At the signal given by Cataline, they 
were to rush upon the consuls and murder them ; but, being too 
hasty in his signal, it was not obeyed ; and thus the massacre was 
put ofi' till another time. 

Several women, of the greatest families in Rome, who were no 
less remarkable for their libertinism than their beauty, engaged in 
this plot out of complaisance to their lovers. Among these, was 
the famous Sempronia, who was as bold as she was beautiful ; she 
was a perfect mistress of both the Greek and Latin tongues, and 
could sing and dance to more advantage than became a virtuous 
woman ; nor was she wanting in any of those charms, which are 
capable of lighting up a passion. The only use she made of them, 
was to pass away her days in riot and excess ; and she had beea 
accused of being accessory to more than one murder. 

This conspiracy was daily strengthened by all the young people 
in Rome, who, having been rocked in the cradle of luxury, and eji- 



j-m ROMAN history: 

ervated by a continual succession of pleasures ; such as had ruined 
thems-elves by excesses; and were no longer able ta support their ex- 
travagancies ; the ambitious, who aspired to the highest posts of 
the state; and others^ who had revenge, which they wanted to 
gratify on some superior ; all these, actuated by different passion"?, 
embarked in the cause of Cataiine, who made them the largest 
promises, and at the same time exhorted them to employ their in-. 
terest to procure his being elected consul. No time could better 
suit the conspirators^, ^as, Pompey w"as then engaged in a vt'ar ii=i the 
East, and Italy had no army to protect it, 

Cicero, however, who waa then consul,' found' means to bribe 
Fulvla, a lady of an illustrious^ family, which she dishonoured by 
her criminal amours with one of the chief of the conspirators. 
From this woman, Cicero got such information, as enabled him to 
couirteract all Cataline's projects;' Soon after, Cicero accused 
Cataiine, while he was present in the senate, of his impious design ; 
bathe endeavoured to quit himself of the charge. Finding he 
could not bring the senators to his v/ay of thinking,, and being cal« 
led by them an enemy and a parricide, he cried, in a furious tone 
cf voice, ** Since snares are everywhere laid for me, and those, to 
whom I -am odious, exasperate me beyond' measure, I will not 
perish stTVgly, but involve my enemies in my ruin.'* 

Cataiine, having spoken these words^ fiew out of the ^nate- 
house, and 'Sending for the chief conspirators, he told thenvwhat 
had passed. Then, exhorting them to murder the consul, he left 
Rome the next night, accompanied by three hundred of Ids com- 
panions, and went and joined Manlius. He caused lictoi-s, with 
fasces and axes, to -walk before him, as thougii he had really been 
amagistrate. Upon the news of this insurrection, the senate or- 
dered Antonius, the consul, to march the legions against the rebels, 
and Cicero to look after the care and peace of the city. 

Soon afterwards, Lentulus, Cethegus, Gabinius, and two more, 
who were principals in the conspiracy, were arrested, convicted, 
and conveyed to differentprisons. The contest in the ser.ate was 
long and warm^ what kind of punishment should be inflicted on 
them, it waSi however, at las^t resolved, that they should be put 
to death ; and Cicero, upon the bare sentence of the senate, and 
v/ithout submitting the matter to the people, as v/as usual, ordered 
them to be executed in the different prisons, in wViich they were 
confined. These- executions at once crushed the plot, andover- 
turnedall the de&igns of the conspirators,- who had that night re- 
solved to rescue them from their coafineraent, that they might inv- 
mediately join Cataiine. 

News being brought to Cataline's camp of the late execution, 
great numbers of his soldiers abandoned him in the nig-ht ; but 
Cataiine was no ways disconcerted or disheartened at this ; for he 
was determined either to ruin the commonwealth, or perish in the 
attempt^ He thereupon raised new forces, filled the cohorts with 
them, and soon completed the legions, which were all 'nflamed 
with tiie same passion £br blood and slaughter,, and the destructloa 



ROMAN HISTORY. 119 

of their native country. By the g-ood management of the eonsul, 
Cataline at last found himself surrounded by the enemy, and that 
his retreat was cut off ; he therefore resolved to hazard a battle, 
though he was considerably inferior in number. 

Petreius, who had served thirty years in the field, and from a 
private soldier had been made a general, commanded for the re- 
public, in the room of the con'sul, who was suddenly taken ill. He 
engaged Cataline with the greatest bravery, and the battle wa6 
sustained on both sides with the utmost intrepidity. Petreius was 
at last victorious, and the rebels were all put to the sword ; but 
Cataline, who could not bear the thoughts of surviving the ruin of 
his part)^, ifushed into that part of the battle, where death was 
making the greatest havock, and there fell a victim to his own fol- 
ly and iniquity. He was afterwards found among the dead and 
mangled bodies of the rebels, which lay in heaps. On his pale 
and lifeless face was still pictured the haughty ferocity of his soul, 
which even death could not extinguish. 

In the year 692, Pompey returned to Rome, having spent five 
years in his expedition, and acquired the greatest glory by military 
exploits. As soon as he reached the borders of Italy, he sent back 
his army, that he might not give either the senate or the people 
room to suspect him of any ambitious views on the commonwealth ; 
by which means he obtained the honours of a triumph with univer- 
sal approbation- 

This triumph lasted two days, and tlierein were exhibited the 
names of fifteen conquered kingdoms, eight hundred cities, &c. 
Among the captives were the king of Judea, and the wives and 
children of several other kings. Innumerable trophies were like- 
wise exposed, and among them a. statute of Pharnaces, of solid sil- 
ver ; also chariots of the same metal, tables of gold, and thirty- 
three pearl crowns of inestimable value. To complete the gran- 
deur of the show, Pompey's car was drawn by elephants, it ap- 
■peared from Pompey's accounts, that he had improved the revenue 
of the republic to the value of 120,000 talents, besides the very 
larg-e sums he had distributed among the meanest of his troops. 

After this, Pompey was seldom seen in public ; and, whenever 
he came out of his house, he was attended with such a number of 
his depeildants, that one would have taken him rather for an East- 
ern emperor, than a Roman citizen ; but, as Rome was a free city, 
every thing disgusted them which had the appearance of royalty, 
and this disgust was hinted to Pompey, who, having so -many years 
been accustomed to com.mand armies, could not persuade himself 
to appear as a common citizen. His manners and conduct in al- 
most every other respect, were pure and unsullied, and he was 
talked of as remarkable for bis temperance. No one accused him 
of avarice, and, in the dignities he aspired to, power was not sa 
much his pursuit, as the splendour with w hich they were surround- 
ed. Vanity was his predominant passion, ^ and this led him to seek 
tliose honours, which might distinguish him above all the com- 
manders of those times. JVIoderate in every thing else, any coKl' 
jpetitioa with him in g^lory was insupportable. 



^^20 ROMAN HISTORi% 

No wonder that a foible of this nature made him a number of 
enemies amidst such a warlike people ; but, of that number, 
Caesar was 'afterwards the most dang-erous and implacable. The 
one could not bear the thoughts of an equal, nor the other a su- 
perior, and this unhappy disposition, in these two great men, was 
the source of new troubles. 

Julius Caesar was esteemed the handsomest man In those times, 
and was skilled in, all kind of exercises ; he was indefatigable, 
brave, and generous to excess, but withal ambitious. Nature, 
which seemed to have formed him for the government of mankind, 
had given him such an air of empire, as added dignity to his de- 
portment, which was softened by a sweet and engaging- carriage. 
The insinuating and invincible thunder of his eloquence resulled 
more from the gracefulness of his persoa than the strength of his 
jarguments ; and he began by insinuating himself into the hearts of 
the people, -as the surestmeans of obtaining those honours to which 
he aspired. 

.Caesar, though, born only a private citizen, had, from his youth, 
Tormed a design of one day raising- himself to that power, which 
JTiight enable him to give laws-to the commonwealth ; nor v^^as he 
^t least intimidated wiien he reflected on the danger of so great an 
attempt. Marius and Sylla were uppermost in his thoughts, and 
their example taught him, that there was nothing, which bravery 
and resolution could not conquer. Happily for him, . h^ was pru- 
.dent, even in tli^se immoderate designs, and waited patiently till 
proper opportunities offered themselves. 

In the seventeenth year of his age he wan made high-priest of 
Jupiter ; and, after having carried his arms into Asia, at his return 
went to Rhod^es, to complete his studies under Apollonius Melo. 
From thence he returned to Rome, where he was created military 
tribune, and a little after, quaestor. In this capacity he was sent in- 
to Spain, in order to visit the assemblies, and administer justice. 
As he passed through Cadiz, he visited the temple of Hercules, and 
..seeing there the picture of Alexander the Great, he wept on re- 
flecting, that he had done no glorious -action, at an age in whioh 
, that king had subdued the world. 

While Caesar was in Spain, he employed his whole time in ex- 
tending its frontiers, and carried his arms into Gallicia^nd Lusit- 
ania, which he made a Roman province. He was not, however, 
forgetful of his own private interest j for he extorted all the gold , 
. and silver he could get at in those provinces, and, on his return to 
Rome ; was received with the universal acclamations of the, people. 

Caesar, being* now returned to Rome, put up for the consulate, 
when he lavished the wealth he had amassed in'Spain, in getting 
.new creatures, to whom his house was open at all times, and from 
whom he concealed nothing but his heart. He found, however, that 
the affections of the people singly would not be sufficient for his.pur- 
pose, and he concluded it would be impossible for him ever to ar- 
rive at sovereign authority, unless he obtained the command ofths 
armies, and could procure a great number of friends, and evens 



ROMAN HISTORY. m 

-«^arty in the senate. The assembly was then divided between Pom- 
pey and Crassus, who were competitors for the g-overnment, 

Czesarnow resolved, as the only probable means he had at pre- 
sent of arriving- at power, to endeavour to reconcile Pompey and 
Crassus, and unite himself with them. He succeeded in his design, 
and these three men now agreed, that nothing- should be transacted 
in the republic in opposition to their respective interests, or with- 
out their approbation. ; and this they confirmed with the most sol- 
emn oaths. 

In this manner was formed the first grand triumvirate, which to- 
tally subverted both the consular and popular state, the whole 
power being now vested in the hands of the three greatest men in 
Rome, as to valour, authority and riches. Thus fell the liberty of 
Rome, owing- to venality and corruption, after having made such 
an illustrious figure for so many ages. It is no wonder, that it was 
soon after plunged into the greatest miseries, as it was impossible 
the triumviri should long agree together. It is true, they had sworn 
to support each other's interest ; but oaths are only the foot-stool of 
ambition, which they trample on the moment it can assist them to 
climb higher. 

This triumvirate was formed about fifty-eight years before the 
birth of our Saviour, and in the year of Rome 694, at which time 
the Roman dominions were almost unlimited, containing all Italy, 
the greatest part of Gallicia, all Spain, Africa, Greece, and Illyri* 
cum ; all the kingdoms of Asia Minor, with Syria, Judsea, Arme- 
nia, Media, and Mesopotamia So great was the grandeur of Rome 
at this time, that it was at once the dread and admiration of the: 
whole worlds her lands were fertile, her generals invincible, and 
her revenues inexhaustible ; her inhabitant-s were innumerable, 
and she was bec()me the favourite seat of the muses and the po- 
lite arts. But, alas ! she was distempered by feuds, jealousies, 
and factions, and it was easy to foresee, that the union of these 
three great men could not be of long duration, and that the break- 
ing of that knot was big with the most disasterou^ events. 



CHAP. X. 



From the Commencement of ^ he Triumvirate to the Tear of Rovie,7Qf&. 

ivOME became now a prey to the ambition of Caesar, Pompey, 
and Crassus, by whose authority all employments in the common- 
wealth were arbitrarily filled up just as they pleased. Crassus 
was insatiable in the pursuit of ricl^.es, having no other idol than 
gold ; Pompey lived in eas^fe and indolence, contented with the 
bare name of .greatness and power ; while Csesar was indefatiga- 
ble in strenp-tbening his own party, and lessening that of the other 
two ; bui Lb;.s he did with so much art as to give neither of them 
umbrage. 

h 



122 ROMAN HISTORY. 

Cjesarand Blbuliis being now elected consuls, the former con- 
.firmed all Pompey's acts, according" to an agreement between 
them. He now set about artfully sowing- a division between Pom- 
pey and the senate, and the senate and the people, and preferred 
a, law, for dividing- certain lands in Campania among 20,000 of the 
poorer citizens, who had three children or more. This proposal 
.gave high satisfaction-to the plebians, and Csesar had it drawn up 
in such plausible and just terms, as left but little room for contro- 
verting it. The senate, however, opposed it strongly, but Pompey 
and Crassus both approved it; and the former being asked his 
4->pinion by the senate, declared, that should any man oppose it with 
-his drawn sword, he would not only unsheath his own, but take uj 
ashield also. The law, however, passed, and Pompey, by his las' 
speech, rendered himself completely odious to the senate. 

From, this period, Cssar troubled the senate very little ; and hie 
colleague, Bibulus, was driven out of the forum by the populace, 
who broke his fasces, and wounded his lictors, after which he 
4arecl not to appear any more in public. In the mean time Cjesa-r 
manas-ed everything, and disposed matters just as he pleased 
The government of Syria was afterwards given to Crassus, which 
he had requested, in hopes of acquiring additional riches ; anc. 
Spain was allotted to Pompey, which he governed by his lieuten 
ants, not being able to persuade himself to abandon the pleasure: 
of Rome. Thus these three men divided the world among them 
as though it had been their natural inheritance. 

Cato in vain exclaimed against this prostitution of the common 
•wealth ; whom Cresar found means to put under an arrest, no- 
'^v'ere LucuUus and Cicero much better treated. The abilities of 
Cicero had offended Ceesar, who was now bent on his ruin ; and. 
for this purpose, he even condescended to associate himself with 
Clodius, Cicero's mortal enemy, and got him elected one of the 
tribunes, though he had, but a short time before, been accuser^ 
«f criminal conversation w-ith Cesar's wife. 

In consequence of this, Cicero was soon afterwards accused be- 
fore tiie people of having illegally put to death Lent'allus, Cethe- 
gus, and the rest of tl^e conspirators, contrary to law. Cicero, now- 
seeing the danger to which he was exposed, forgot himscdf s© far, 
as. to dress himself meanly, and, letting his beard and hair grow, 
'tf^'^ent about the city imploring the protection of the great men ; but, 
at last, finding himself deserted, he found he must either take up 
arms or quit Rome.: which last Cato, and the rest of his friends, 
advised him to. He accordingly left the city in the night time, 
rmd went to Sicily. ~ Clodius then banished him, by the votes of 
the people, 4,00 miles from Italy, demolished all his houses, and 
disposed of his goods by public sale. 

After sixteen months banishment Cicero was recalled, when all 
the cities through which he passed* paid him such singular hon- 
ours, as in some measure to represent a continual triumph ; and, 
when he approached Rome, the ecjuites, and all the people, went 
iDut to congratulate him on his return. 



■ROMAN' HIST0RY. 123- 

CJesar now chose the government of Gaul, that being an object 
\fliich would afford him an opportunity of displaying- his valour 
and military skill, hoping, at the same time, to enrich himself v/ith 
the plunder of that country. His first battle, about the year of 
Rome 696, was with the Helvetians or Swiss, whose army consist- 
ed of upwards of '300,000 men, whom he entirely defeated, leav- 
^7ng them hardly 100,000. In this battle their wives and children 
^jfought with the greatest obstinacy, till they were all entirely de« 
.^^molished. 

H^ He afterwards entered Germany, wiiere he carried every thing 

^before him ; and, in the following year, turned his arras against 

jthe Belgese, who inhabited a part of Gaul, and was considered as 

.^.the most formidable people in those parts. Their army consisted 

"of near 300,000 men, when he attacked them, and obtained a cora- 

: jplete victory. He then turned his arms against the Nervii, who 

,, attacking his troops unexpectedly, broke his cavalry, and sur- 

4!rounding two of his legions, killed his officers, and would have cut 

Ctbera all to pieces, had not Cxsar come to their assistance. The 

f Nervii, however, were all of them at last demolished. The fame" 

' .jof Cesar's military exploits being every where spread, many na- 

■jtions sent ambassadors, and submitted themselves to him. 

In the year of Rome 698, Caesar took up his head quarters at 
*|Laura in Italy, where a multitude of people went to pay him their 
respects, and among them near 400 senators, prsetors, and procon- 
'suls. The same year Pbmpey and Crassus were chosen consuls, 
^more by the force of arms than any other means, who continued 
> iCttsar live years longer in the government of Gaul. 
'i% The next year, having made some conquests in Germany, he re- 
: turned to Gaul, and resolved to cross into Bfitain, which was so 
.very hazardoss an eivterprize, that none but Ceesar would have at- 
^tempted it. Of all the difficulties, that of a pretence for his in- 
« jtended itivasion was the least, Cssar embarked with two legionSj., 
" "^and coming to Dover cliffs, as is generally imagined, he saw them^ 
' ,::overed with troops. He stayed there som.e hours, till he was 

•joined by the other ships, and then sailed tvv'o leagues farther, 
whither the Britons followed him Vv'itli their chariots, and cavalry. 
_ _A.fLer moving towards the coast, as the Romans delayed to plunge 
into the water, their vessels not being able to get near enough the 
shore, the standard-bearer of the tenth legion leaped in, and cried' 
i out alcud, *' Follow me, fellow soldiers^ unless you will suffer the 
Roman eagle to fall into the hands of the enemy. ''^ Animated with 
this singular mark of courage, the> soldiers followed him, and blood 
and slaughter ensued. 

The Britons instantly attacked the Romans, and fought in the 
water with so much resolution, that, in all probability, the latter 
must have been repulsed, had not Csesar taken care to supply them, 
from time to time, with fresh recruits. The Britons, overcome by 
numbers^ were at last obliged to give way, and the Romans so well 
improved this advantage, that they at last put them to flight. Be» 
ing now terrifis^d at the Roman valour, they sued for peace^ which 



n4> ROMAN HISTORY. 

Caesar granted them. A favourable opportunity afterwards h&j3= 
pening, the Britons again took to arms ; but, being a second time 
defeated, were once more reduced to sue for peace. 

During this interval, the senate being informed of what Caesar 
Jiad done in Britain, gave orders for a solemn festival to be held in 
konour of him, whicli was to continue twenty days. All this 
mighty parade was granted him for an action, which was of little 
consequence to the commonwealth, but occasioned the slaughter 
©f some thousands of men. Thus Csesar, and even the Roman 
senate, thought nothing of sacrificing the lives of mortals to their 
false ambition, and the vain love of momentary glory. 

In the year of Rome 700, Csesar resolved on a second expedi- 
tion to Britain, and accordingly made all the prepxirations necessa- 
ry for that expedition. He landed vvitliout opposition ; and, though 
the Britons were successful in some attacks, they were entirely 
defeated at last, 

If we take a critical review of Csssar, we shall find, that the 
commonwealth had never given birtli to a more able commander j 
though it must be ov/ned, at the same time, that his unbounded 
ambi4^ion, and his insatiable t.hirst after riches, which lie courted 
for the gake of corrupting those who might oppose his designs,- 
sullied the g'lory of ail his conquests. Venality prevailed in the 
camp, and he plundered even the temples of the gods, nor spared 
the allies of the Romans. GatOj and the rest of the senators, 
%yished to bring him to an account, but the magnifieence of his- 
conquests, the blindness of the people, and the senators he had 
bribed, overturned^every attempt of this nature. So far from pun- 
ishing him for his crimes, sacrifices were offered to the gods for 
his sacrilegious actions, and his vices were considered as virtues.- 

Pompey now began to see his mistake, and resolved, if possible, 
to ruia Caesar, whose elevation he considered himself as the sole- 
cause of He had already a great ascendency over the senate ; 
and, in order to ingratiate himself with the people, he built a- 
rnagnificent theatre, in which plays and other spectacles were ex- 
hibited. As it was in Rome, so it is now with almost every other' 
state : the gi-eat sometimes condescend to shew the vulgar a fa- 
vour; with no other view, than that they may assist them in their 
ambitious designs, which, when obtained, prove the ruin of 
those that were the cause of it. Those in power use tyranny and?'^ 
oppression ; those v/ho want to obtain it, fiattery and deceit. 

In the mean time, Crassus- being on his march plundered the* 
temple of Jerusalem often thousand talents; and, on every occa- 
sion, shewed himself more avaricious than heroic. He was care- 
less of taking any advantage of the enemy, who at last engaged 
him, and obtained a complete victory. In this engagement his son' 
lost his life, and he himself, being afterwards betrayed, was killed' J 
also. The Parthians, in this battle, killed 20,000 Romans, and I 
took 13,000 prisoners. The person who killed Crassus cut ofi his- 1 
head and his right hand, and carried tnem to the Parthian king, 
v/ho ordered melted gold to be poured down his throat, upbraiding, 



ROMAN HISTORY. i?5- 

him with these words : ** Glut thyself now with that g-old, with 
which in thy life-time thou wast never to be satisfied !" One of 
the principals of the triumvirate being" tlius no more, it was easy 
to foresee that a violent strugg-le v/ould ensue between the other 
two, who, for some time past, had broke off all professions of 
friendship. 

To such a height was corruption now g-ot in Romej, that employ- 
ments were sold in the most public manner ; nor were the chiefs 
of the different factions less cautious in taking* bribes ; and, where 
they could not carry their point by the number of votes, never 
failed to call in force and violence. In Ifact, no office was now ob- 
tained till it had been contested with the sword, and the blood of 
some citizen shed on the occasion. In one of these scenes of con- 
fusion, Clodiuswas murdered by Milo, and the body was exposed 
ail' bloody to the people, who thereupon broke all the seats of the 
magistrates, made a funeral pile of them^ and set it on fire, when 
all the magnificent buildings, in which the magistrates used to 
assemble, were, -with the body of Clodius, reduced try ashes. So 
many people were afterwards murdered that it became dangerous 
to walk the city unarmed, 

Hereupon Pompey was elected dictator, and had great authority 
given" him, which increased his number of friends in the senate ; 
nor did those of Csesar decrease, who, by means of bribes, and 
the fame of his heroic actions, found his party very powerful in 
Rome; Ceesar having fisished the war in Gaul, which had been 
the most dangerous, though the most glorious, he had ever under- 
taken, he sued for the consulship, and desired to have the time of 
his government prolonged. 

In the mean time matters- seemed to run against C'sesar in 
the senate ; but, as he was informed of every thing that was 
transacting in Rome, he concerted his measures accordingly. 
Csesar, exasperated at the little respect paid him by the senate, 
immediately passed the Alps at the head of his third legion, and 
halted at Ravenna, from whence he wrote to the senate-; His let- 
ter concluded with, " If I have not justice immediately doue me, 
I -will march to Rome;'* These last words filled- the assembly 
with horror, and Caesar was commanded to resign his army, on 
pain of being declared an enemy to his country. This decree of 
the senate was as a declaration of vvar, and both parties had im- 
mediately recourse to arms. Mark Anthony, the tribune Cu- 
rio and Cassius,>in the habits of slaves, quitted the city, and went- 
over to Csesar. 

Csesar immediately retired secretly from Ravenna, and went and 
joined his army, which was then near the Rubicon. He there 
found about 50G0 foot and 300 horse, and with these inconsidera- 
ble forces he began the civil war. He halted some time on the 
banks of the Rubicon, reflecting on the miseries and calamities 
inseparable frqm intestine wars,: *' If I do not cross this river," 
said he to himself, " I am ruined ; and should I pass it, whafr^ 

multitudes shall 1 ruin!'* After ruminating some times and ths^ 

h2 



126 ROMAN HISTORY, 

animosity of his enemies presenting- itself to his mind, he plunged 
into the river, and cried out, " Let us g'o whither the omens of ^ 
the gods, and the injustice of our enemies, call us : the dye is 
cast!" 

The army having crossed the Rubicon, Csesar tore his robe in. 
the presence of the tribunes of the people, and implored the pro- 
tection of his soldiers, when they all cried out, with loud acclama- 
tions, that they v/ere ready to die in the service of their general. 
He then marched with all possible expedition, and took Arimi-, 
num, which diffused terror all over Italy. The senate met several 
times, but so great was- the consternation, that they could come 
to no conclusion. Pompey, having no troops, nor any place to 
which he could retire, was under some uneasiness ; and' the sen- - 
ate, and Cato in particular, reproached him for having thus suf- 
fered himself to be seduced by the artifices of Caesar, 

Pompey resolved to move the seat of war to Appulia, fearing, 
should he oblige the people to take up arms, they might turn those 
arras against him. At Apulia were two legions, which Caesar had' 
resigned to him ; and, having endeavoured, in an oration, to per- 
suade the senators to follow him, several of them, with the con- 
suls, left R-ome in the night, and accompanied Pompey, being de- 
termined to share with him his fortune. 



CHAP. XL 
From the year of Some 706, to the Death of- y-ulius Qesar, 

'*^BOUT this time, Caesar made himself master of Picenum ; and: 
having obtained some other advantages, before he set out for Spain, 
in order to drive Pompey's veterans fixjm thence, he marched first;, 
to Rome, to settle some kind of government there. Having taken 
3000 pounds weight of gold out of the treasury, he left Rome, say* 
ino*, that he was going- to attack an army without a g eneral, and that 
then he would go and combat a general witlioai any army. 

After several skirmishes and battles on both sides-, the armies of" 
Pompey and Caesar met on the plains of Pharsalia. In these armieS' 
was the Hower of the Romftn legions, whose bravery was to deter- 
mine the fate of that mighty empire. The animosity and r.m.bition 
of their ehiefs,who were fired with thehf pes of riches and glory that 
must necessarily follow the conquest of the dav^ made every one 
conclude, that a general battle was unavoldibie. Pompey, having 
twice the number of soldiers to what Caesar had, thought himself 
sure of victory : and his soldiers even quarreiled among themselves 
about the share of plunder. 

Cxsar employed his time in a different manner -, fee exerted his 
utmost skill to improve his soldiers, and inrp're \hem vnth vigour 
and activity. Hearing that' PoiBpey's arm^r v;- ;:-c,vvTi i;p in ovd^t 



ROMAN HISTORY'. 127 ' 

of battle, he told his troops, with an air of the highest satlsfactioiTj 
that the long'-wished-for moment was arrived, in which it was in their 
power to gain immortal honour. Having thus -spoken, he advanced 
with his troops towards the field of battle. Pompey .was very much ^ 
disturbed by ill omens, but, nevertheless,- exhorted his soldiers to ■ 
behave courageously. As the armies approached, the two generals : 
rode from rank to rank to animate their soldiers.' The signal was - 
then given for battle, and the contest on both sides was long and ' 
bloody, and seemed for some time equal. Pompey's cavalry. 
' charged with great vigour, and obliged the enemy to give ground. 
Cse^ar instantly advanced with his' reserved corps, and, attacking 
the faces of the enemy with their pikes, these knights were soon 
broken, and thrown into disorder, Ceesar pdtsued the advantage 
with so much vigour, that they were at last overpowered. The 
auxiliaries began the fiight, though Eompey's right wing main- 
tained their ground with great bravery. 'At this instant, Ca;sar 
ordering his men to cry aloud, " Kill the foreigners, but save the 
Romans," the latter threw dov/n their arti:ss and received quarter. 
Meantime a dreadful slaughter was made of the foreigners, who 
were flying with the utmostlprecipitation 

After the battle Pompey did. not act consistent with that char= 
acter he had hitherto borne ; but, mounting a horse, went to La- 
rissa, and from thence to the sea- shore. The rich furniture, and 
other things which were found in Pompey's camp, were a con- 
vincing proof how much luxury had prevailed there. There fell 
in this memorable hdtxle 15,000, and 24,000 surrendered priso- 
ners. , 

Pompey, lately that great and powerful commander, v/as now 
obliged, with a few friends only, to retreat to a nsherman's bark, - 
from whence he got on board another vessel, and made all possible 
sail His misfortunes had now so completely conquered him,' 
that he forgot to make use of tliose advantages he still had at sea, 
being master of a powerful and victorious fleet. Pompey fled to - 
the island of Lesbos, where he had before sent Cornelia, his 
wife, and Sextus, his younger, son, vvliora • he took with him from - 
Lesbos to Cyprus, and from thence came to Egypt. 

Pompey had been a great friend to Auletes, the father of the 
young Egyptian king, and it Vv^ascMfefiythroug-h the influence of 
this illustrious Roman, that he was res^tored to his kingdom: he 
therefore expected to be assisted and received with equal kindness ■ 
by the son. Porcipey, on his drawing near to land, sent messen- 
gers to Ptolemy, to requne his protection, and aid him in his pre- 
sent distress. The king was then only thirteen y^ars of age, and 
therefore consulted his minister,^, what answer to return. At last, 
after various opinions, it was thought most expedient to dispatch 
him- Achillas, with SepUmaS; a lioman commander, were sent to 
execute the horrid deed 

They went to take Pompey on board a small boat, under pre» 
tence that great vessels could not approach the shore without 
HRich difEcultf. Ths troops were dra^wa up on tbe se^-side, a?. 



%|S-' aOMAh"' HISTORY. . » 

with a (lesi.^n to honour Pompey, with Ptolemy at their head, 
Pompey embraced Cornelia, (alas, little did he think for the last 
time^!) and entered the boat, where he was shamefully murdered, 
in the sight of his wife and the young king. The mui'derers cut 
offhis head, and threw his body on the sand, where it had no other 
funeral than what one of his freedmen gave it, with the assistance 
of an old Roman, who was there by accident. Thus unworthily 
ended the life of Pompey the Great, in the fifty-ninth year of his 
age. 

Cornelia had seen Pompey massacred before her eyes ; and it is 
easier to imagine the condition of a woman in the height of griefs 
from so tragical a scene than to describe it. The Roman siiips 
made off to sea v/ith all imaginable speed. Cornelia and Sextus 
escaped first to Tyre, and from thence into Africa ; but most of 
the other ships were taken by the Egyptian galleys, and all on 
board them cruelly put to the sword, among whom was Lucius 
Lentulus, the late consul, who, obstinately rejecting all the propo- 
sals that had been made by. Caesar, was the author of this fatal 
war. 

In the mean time, Csesar made all possible haste to- arrive in 
Egypt, where he suspected Pompey had retired, and was in hopes 
of finding him alive. He came to Alexandria with two legions and 
800 horse. Iti these legions were not above 3200 men ; but Caesar 
confided so much in the fame of his exploits, that he thought ev- 
ery place would entertain him with skfety On his arrival at Alex- 
andria he was informed of Pompey's death, and soon after on his 
entering the place, he was presented with his head. At the sight 
of it he wept, and turned his face from it with abhorrence, as 
from an ungrateful spectacle, and ordered it to be buried in a- 
proper place with all honourable solemnities. 

As Caesar was going out of his sliip, he heard a clamour of the 
soldiers, which the king had left to guard the city, and saw a- 
concourse of people gathered about him, because the fasces were 
carried before him, which made the populaee cry out, that it dimin- 
ished the authority of their king. This tumult was soon quelled ; ; 
but others happened every day, in which many soldiers were slain. 
Caesar therefore sent forborne other legions out of Asia, as he was 
obliged to continue at Alexandria, on account of the Etesian winds, 
then blowing from the northj which prevented his sailing from- 
thence. 

In the mean time, he employed himself in calling in the debt 
due to him from Auietes, and in hearing and determining the con- 
* troversy between Ptolemy and Cle-opatra, Auietes had engaged 
the interest of Caesar by a bribe of 10,000 talents, part of which- 
was unpaid, and now exacted by Caesar with rigour. The case of 
Cleopatra and Auietes being at this time to be argued before Caesar, 
advocates were appointed on both sides to plead the cause. 

Cleopatra, hearing that Caesar was unboundedly fond of women 
laid a plot to attach him first to her person, and then to her cause r 
tor she was ^ woman who laad^ notlilng of prostituting. her person 



ROMAN HISTOHY; 129 

W any Ofle, either through passion or interest. She desired Csesar 
to permit her to come in person, that she might plead her own 
cause before him. This being easily granted, she was privately 
conveyed into the city by her own servant, who carried her on his' 
back, tied up in her bedding, to Caesar's apartmeat in the citadel,' 
where he threw down his burden, untied it, up started the lady, 
with the best airs she could nut on, Csesar was pleased with her 
stratagem, and smitten with her beauty, which had all the effect 
she wished for. He lay with her that night, and afterwards had by 
her a son, who was named Csesarran. 

The next m'orning Caesar sent for PtoFemy, -and pressed him to-' 
receive his sister again upon her own therms ; at which the young- 
king was so much enraged, that he run out of the palace into the 
street, tore the diadem from his head and complained to the peo- 
ple that he was betrayed. In a moment the whole city was in an 
uproar, and the populace came on tumultuously to assist their 
king, whose person was seized by the Romans, which quelled the 
Egyptians, who were assured by Caesar, that they would be fully' 
satisfied with tlie judgment he should pass. 

The next day Caesar summoned an assembly of the people, be-' 
fore whom hfe brought out Ptolemy and Cleopatra ; and, after 
having caused the will of the late king to be read, he decreed' 
that they should reigh jointly in Egypt, according to the tenor of 
that will ; and farther, that Ptolemy, the younger son, and Arsino,' 
the younger daughter, should reign in Cyprus. This contented 
the whole assembly, except Photinus, who dreaded the resent- 
ment of Cleopatra, and not only created new discontents among' 
the people, but also prevailed with Achillas to bring his army 
from Pelusium to Alexandria^ to drive Cse&ar out of it; Achillas 
had 20,000 good troops, and thought to overcome Cjesar imme- 
diately : but this great Roman posted his little army so judicious-' 
ly, that he easily sustained the assault. Achillas then marched 
against the port, with an intention to seize the fleet, and shut up 
Caesar i6y sea ; but he alsofrustraded this attempt, by burning the^ 
Egyptian fleet, which consisted of 50 gallies, and 22 large ships. He 
then took possession of the tower of Pliaros, which he garrisoned, 
awd by this means preserved his 'communication by sea, without ' 
wiuch he had been effectually ruined. Csesar also fortifieJ himself 
in the strongest quarter of the city, from whence Arsinoe escaped 
to Achillas; and such, lie says, was the beginning of the Alex- 
andrian war, at which place he concludes his Commentaries. 

Some of the ships, when on fire, drove to the shore, and com- 
municated their flames to the adjoining houses; and, spreading 
into that quarter of the city called Bruchium, consumed the no- 
ble library there, which had been the collection of several ages, 
and then contained four hundred thousand volumes. Such was 
the loss the scps of literature sustained by the ravages of war. 
, Caesar sent for succours to all the adjacent parts, while the eu- 
nuch Ganymedes put Achillas to death, and succeded him in the 
command of the Egyntian army, as also the administration of all- 



ISa ROMAN HISTORi. 

other affairs. He contrived many stratag-ems to dlstl-es^ Csesar 
during" this war ; and, in particvilar he found means to spoil all the 
iresh water in his quarter, and was very near destroying him by that 
means, there being- no other fresh water in Alexandria but that of 
the Nile, which was kept in vaulted reservoirs in every house, 
supplied from the river by a canal, which communication he stop- 
ped, and turned the 'sea-water into the reservoirs : but Cxsar sunk, 
wells so deep that he found- springs which supplied him with fresh - 
water again. 

Cccsar afterwards defeated Ganymedes in three naval engage- 
ments, and was joined by a legion sent by Calvininus, while a consid- 
erable army was assembhng for him inSyria andCilici?.,underMithri- 
dates of Pergamus, who entered Egypt, and took Pelutium by. 
storm. In the second sea-fight, Csesar had like to have perished. 
By attempting to take the town in the island of Pharos, and the - 
mole leading to it ; he was repulsed with the loss of about eight-hun=- 
dred men, and had like to have been lost himself in the rout ; for, 
fiUdhig the ship in which he endeavoured to escape ready to sinkj. 
by reason of the number of those who had crowded into it, he 
threw himself into the sea, and with difficulty got off by swin>ming. 
to another of his ships in the port : while he thus made his es- 
eape, he carried some valuable papers, which he had about him, 
in one hand and swam with the other, whereby he saved both 
them and himself. 

Csesar was persuaded to send king Ptolemy to the Egyptian army, 
in compliance with their desire, and on a promise of peace : but 
when they found that they had their king at their head, they push- 
ed on the war with greater vigour than before. Mithridates ad- 
vanced with his army, and defeated a body of Egyptians, who de- 
fended the banks of the Nile. Ptolemy then advanced with his 
whole array to oppose the victors, and Csesar marched to support 
them. A decisive battle ensued, in which C?esar obtained a com-; 
piete victory, Ptolemy endeavoured to escape in a boat, which 
sunk, and he was drowned in the Nile. Caesar then returned to 
Alexandi'ia, and all Egypt submitted to the conqueror. 

Csesar gave the crown of Egypt to Cleopatra, in conjunction' 
with Ptolemy, her younger brother, who was only eleven years of' 
age. The passion which Csesar had conceived for that princess, 
was probably the sole cause of his embarking in so dangerous a 
war ; and his affection for her kept him much longer in Egypt than 
his affairs required. He passed v/hol*- nights in feasting with her, 
and even intended to marry her ; but, after continuing some months 
in Egypt, he was obliged to quit it, to oppose Pharnaces, son of the 
great Mithridates. Pharnaces being conquered, and endeavour- 
ing to break into Bosphorus, was repulsed and slain by ..sander, 
who had revolted from him. Thus deservedly fell a man, so rebel- 
lious to his father, and ungrateful to his friends. 

After this, he set out for Rome with the utmost diligence, having 
settled hiii affairs in these parts, as well as time would permit. No 
sooner h.%d he arrived in Italy, thnn Cicero, and many others of 



KOMAN HIST©RY. t51 

Pompey's party, met him, and congratulated him on his return 
Caesar received them in the kindest manner, which paved the way 
for making- every thing- quiet in the commonvt'ealth. 

In the year of Rome 708, the time of Caesar's dictatorship being 
expired, he was elected consul with Emilias Lepidus. However, 
"he was obliged to quit Rome ; Scipio, Cato, and Juba, king of 
Numidia, having raised forces in Africa, where Cscsar landed, and 
totally defeated them. Juba would have retired with Petreius to 
Zama, which was the strongest city in his dominions, but the in- 
habitants refused him admittance, and gave his treasures to Caesar. 
Juba resolutely determined not to survive this misfortune ^ and 
agreeing with Petreius that they should kill eacli other, the latter 
fell dead on the spot ; but Juba havine; received -^nly a slight 
wound, was obliged to ask the assistance of a slave to ^lisp^tchliira. 

As to Cato, he returned to Utica, and there established a kintl of 
senate, v/hich consisted of three hundred Romans. He at hrst 
intended to stand a siege ; but finding the inhabitants were not to 
:be relied on, he changed his resolution, and advised his fi-iends 
either to escape by sea, or submit to the mercy of dcsar He em- 
braced them with uncommon tenderness, and discoiu'sed on moral 
subjects, of which this Vv'as the theme : " The virtuous are only 
happy and free, and the wicked are ever v/retched and slaves," 

His sons, suspecting he had some design on himself, at supper 
/took his sword from him, v.'hich he did not then miss. He after- 
wards threw himself on his bed, and read Plato's Dialogue on the 
Immortality of the Sold ; then missmg his sword, which not being- 
brought him so soon as-he expected, he fell into a violent passion 
At last, his friends, bringing it to him, implored him not to lay vio- 
lent hands on himself, but to continue among them, as their only 
genius, guardian, and protector. On receiving his sword, h.e felt 
the point of it, and said, '* I am now my own master." He then 
read again, and afterwards fell into a sound sleep. At day-break 
he awoke, when he stabbed himself; but not doing it effectually, 
he staggered, and threw down a table, the noise; of which brought 
in his slaves, his friends, and his sons, who found him weltering in 
his gore. His physician replaced his bowels, and sewed up the 
wound ; but Cato, afterwards coming to himself, tore open the 
wound, and rushed out of life with fury, rage, and indignation, 
which finished Caesar's war in Africa. 

Whether the manner in which this great republican put a per- 
iod to his life was justifiable, or not, has ever since been a matter 
of much dispute. I must own, that he did not herein act conform- 
ably to his own system of philosophy ; and, if we try him by the 
viaws of christian'ty, he will still appear more culpable Life isbut 
a short summer's campaign, in which v/e have many battles to 
•-fight, many breaches to mount, many strong fortresses to storm. 
The prudent general, however unfortunate he may have been for a 
long time, experience • teaches us, often proves at last successfulp 
and gives us a convincing proof, that it is cowardice to despair, 
tlioug^b, in all human s^ppearance, every thing- -seems lost. I am- 



132 ROMAN HISTORY. 

however, for allowing Gate some favourable circumstances : Wfe 
must consider the ag'e in which he lived, and the barbarity of those 
times, in which suicide was not forbidden by either relig'ion or 
laws. Shall Cato become the sport and mockery of those people 
to whom he once gave laws ? Shall he live to see his country, once 
the seat of sweet liberty ..and freedom, become the den of tyranny 
and oppression ; her laws subverted^ venality and corruption carry- 
ing- every thing before tbem, and that once fair and stately city, 
Rome, the mistress of the world, now, througii faction and party, 
precipitating into a pile of ruins ? 

Csesar hereupon returned to Rome, and triumphed four times in 
■©ne month ; first for Gaul : then for Egypt, in which Arsinoe was 
4oaded with chains ; his third triumph was for Pontus, and king 
Pharnaces ; and -his la§t for Africa, in which the younger Juba was 
exposed. He then began to settle the commonwealth, enacted 
new laws, and committed judicial matters to the senators and 
knights only. With the assistance of some of the ablest astronomers 
he reformed the calendar, regulated the year according to the 
course of the sun, allotting to each year iSSS days, and added one 
day more to every, fourth year, which was called the Bissextile, or 
J^eap-Year. 

The last -war in which Csesar was engaged about the year ©f 
Home 709, and which had like to hav^e proved fatal, to him, was 
against Pompey's two sops, who had a powerful army in Spain. A 
decisive battle was fought in the plains of Munda, in which Cxsar 
was more melancholy than usual, and, perhaps, reflected on the in- 
stability of terrestrial ^airs. He began tadistrust so long a series 
of prosperity ; and, seeing himself arrived to the sante heig-ht of 
glory to which Pompey had once attained, he was fearful of ex- 
periencing the same fate. He now saw, what he believed could 
have never come to pass, his veteran soldiers, after fourteen years 
service In the field, gave ground, and would have fled, had not 
shame prevented them. Caesar, in his distraction and despair, leap- 
ed from his horse, and ran to them with the utmost fury. He 
stopped the fugitives, reanimated them, and flying from rank to 
rank, was every wl\ere in an instant. "Victory was now wrested 
from the enemy, which fortune seemed to have given them, and 
3000 of them w&ve killed on^the spot, jaosar had: been exposed to 
so much danger in this battle, as occasioned him frequently to 
say, that, on other occasions he had fought for glory, but at Munda 
o save his life. 

After this he returned to Rome, and had the honour of a tri- 
umph ; but he did not meet with the same universal acclamations 
as formerly. The name of Pompey was still dear to the Ro- 
mans, and they grieved to see his whole family thus almost extir- 
pated. Extraordinary honours were, however, heaped on Caesar, 
and Rome seemed to have nothing left but the shadow of liberty. 
He was allowed to assist at all games in a gilded chair, and a 
golden crown on his head ; which crown and chair, after his death, 
w^& decreed to be exhibited. at all public sports, to perpetuate hi^ 



KOMAN HISTORY. 133 

tflemory. Those honours we*e heaped on him by the senate only 
to render him odious to the people, and thereby bring- about his 
ruin. His enemies detested his ambition, and the most zealous 
republicans resolved to die, rather than be eye-witnesses to the 
total ruin of their liberties. 

Upwards of sixty senators entered into a conspiracy to destroy 
Csesar, Brutus and Caasius being at the head of this combination. 
Brutus was the soldier and scholar ; but he never drew his sword 
with any other design than to serve his country, nor read with any 
other purpose than to subdue his passions. In all his actions, he 
strictly adhered to justice and honour, and all he said, as well as 
all he did,seemed to flow from a public and unbiassed spirit. Every 
man in the commonwealth, who loved himself, loved Brutus. 

Though Brutus was the avowed enemy of absolute power, yet he 
could not prevail on himself to hate the usurper, who had indulged 
him on so many occasions. It was the love of his country, the 
strongest of all human ties, and that only which could prevail on him 
to join the conspiracy; nor had Cassius less obligations toCaesar than 
Brutus, having in battle received from that conqueror life and quar- 
ter. Cassius however, engaged in this conspiracy, not out of any 
love to his country, but to satiate his unjust revenge. 

The conspirators carried on their plot with all imaginable caution 
and secrecy ; and, the better to justify their designs, deferred it 
till the ides of March, on which day Caesar was to he declared 
king. A famous augur told C^sar that great dangers threatened 
him on the ides of March : and those writers who would add hor= 
ror to the description of this day, tell us, ** that the world bore a 
^loom and heavy presage of Caesar's fate ; that wild beasts came 
into the most frequented parts of the city, apparitions in the streets, 
illuminations in the skies, and that inauspicious sacrifices damped 
the hearts of all men, except the assassins, who, with an incredi- 
ble serenity of mind, waited the approaching opportunity of sacri- 
ficing the usurper." 

Caesar's wife, having had frightful and omuious dreams the pre- 
ceeding niglit, persuaded him not to go abroad that day ; but De- 
ciraus Brutus, one of the conspirators, calling on him in the morn- 
ing, and laughing at thos^ silly omens, took him by the hand, and 
led him out of his house. As Caesar was going into the senate- 
house, he met the augur, who had forewarned him of the danger 
of that day : *' The ides of March are come," said Cxsar. " True, 
(replied the augur) but they are not yet past.'* 

Scarce had Csesar taken his seat, but all the assassins pressed a- 
bout him and sued for favours which they knew would not be grant- 
ed. The sign was given : immediately, one, oppressed with the 
greatness of the attem] t, made an irresolute pass at him Cxsar 
then rushed upon Casca and beat him to the ground ; but, while 
they were struggling, another of the conspirators came behind 
hini;, and plunged his dagger in his bosom : at the same time, 
Cassius wounded him in the face, and Brutus in the thigh. TiVj: 
tb;s time he had made a very vigorous resistance, but now madeiio 
M 



154 ROMAN HISTORY. 

more, and, submitting" to the strokes of a person, who owed to him 
his life, he only uttered these wordsj ** And thou too, my son, Bru- 
tus !** Caesar used to call him by this tender name, supposing him 
to be his illegitimate son by an intrigue with Servilia. Growing 
now faint with the loss of blood, he reeled to Pompey's statue, 
vhere, covering- his face with his robe, and drawing his skirts to 
bis knees, that he might fall decently, he sunk down and expired, 
having received twenty-three wounds. 

Caesar had long before been advised by his friends to be more 
cautious of the security of his person, and not to walk, as was his 
common practice, among the people, without arms, or any one to 
defend him ; but to these admonitions he always replied, *' He that 
lives in fear of death, every moment feels its tortures ; 1 will die 
but once." x\t last, thus fell, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, the 
conqueror of the Gauls, of Pompey, and the senate, the master of 
the Roman republic and the world, who died without uttering the 
least complaint, ar shewing any mark of grief or weakness. 



CHAP. XII. 

From the Death of Julius C£sar to the End of the Comfnoniutakh. 

After the murder of Caesar, every thing was in a state »f an. 
archy and confusion. Had the conspirators properly considered, 
they might have easily foreseen, that the death of Caesar would 
Eot put an end to the invasion of their liberties ; but that it would 
give rise to fresh civil commotions, and endanger the ruin of the 
commonwealth. It was natural to suppose, that, as the unlimited 
power of Caesar had been the envy of the great men, as soon as he 
was taken off, many would be candidatesto succeed him, as pre- 
sently will evidently apjDcar. 

Anthony and I^epidus resolved to revenge Caesar*s murder. Au- 
thony, the next day read Caesar's will to the people, in which Octa- 
vius was appointed his successor ; and, in case he died without 
issue, Decimus Brutus, one of the principal conspirators, was to 
succeed him ; large legacies were likewise given to the people, 
who W£re hereupon so charmed with Csesav*s goodness and so en- 
raged against his assassins, that they found themselves obliged for 
the present to quit the city in order to |-»reserve their lives. 

In the mean time, Octaviu.s, Cesar's heir, arrived at Rome. He 
resolved to revenge Caesar's murder, and to support his own prcr 
tensions, though at the hazard of his life. He landed first at Brun- 
dusium, where the soldiers resorted to liim in crowds, and, over- 
joyed to see so near a relation of their former general, gave up the 
town to him, and hereupon he assumed the name of Caesar, by 
which name we shall hereafter call him. He then maj'ched boldly 
Awards Rome, attended onlybv a few domestics r but was joined 



ROMAN HISTORY, I'l'f 

in his way by all his father's friends, his freed-men and the veteran 
soldiers, on whom Caesar had bestowed lands in Italy. Money was 
bi'oug-ht him from all quarters, and at his coming near the capitol, 
he was met by the greatest part of the magistrates, the officers, and 
people. 

Long-, and alternately successful, were the disputes between 
Caesar and Anthony, which last aimed at nothing less than the de- 
struction of the former, that he might thereby arrive at sovereign 
power. Caesar was sensible of thjs, and took all possible care to 
avoid the snares laid for him : sometimes they would feign a friend- 
ship for each other, thoug-h the rankest hatred subsisted betvveen 
them. 

In the year of Rome 711, Anthony, by virtue of the orders of the 
people, though contrary to those of the senate, took \ipon him t)ie 
g-overnment of GaUia Cisalpina ; and, after winning most of the 
cities of that province, actually besieged D. Brutus in Modena. 
This so exasperated the senate, that he was soon after declared an 
enemy to the commonwealth, and immediately sent Cssar to the 
relief of Brittus. Th^is the dictator's adopted son was seen march- 
ing, under his enemies' standardsj to succour one of his fatlier'ft 
assassins; but the design of Caesar was not so much to relieve 
Brutus, as to ruin Anthony. 

A general battle being fouglit near Modena, Anthony was there 
defeated, after a great slaughter. He th.en fled to Gallia Tran- 
salpina, where Lepidus, Piancue, and Asinius Pollio, were at the 
head of a considerable body of forces, hoping they would assist him, 
CiEsar after this victory, finding himself only the tool of the senate, 
resolved on accommodating matters with Anthony, and managed 
thing's so well, that he not only got himself elected consul, but oblig. 
«d the senate solemnly to renounce all the decrees that had been 
enacted against Anthony, Dolabella, and others ; and likewise to 
condemn Brutus, Cassius, and their several accomplices. 

Decimus afterwards endeavourinic, with a few attendants to pass 
through Gaul, was taken and betrayed at Aquileia by Sequanus, 
governor of that country, who sent his head to Anthony. Much 
about the same time, Trebonius, anotlser of the conspirators was 
taken, and, after being put to grievous torments, liis head was 
Struck off, and kicked about in a most contemptuous manner by tha 
soldiers. 

Diiierencea being at last accommodated between Caesar and 
Anthony, it was agreed, they, in conjunction with Lepidus, should 
invest themselves with the supreme authority during five years, 
under the name of Triumviri, It was also agreed that Anthony 
should have all Gaul, except Narbonne, whicli Lepidus was to have 
with Spain ; whilst Csesar was to possess Africa, Sicily and Sardi- 
nia, with the other islands, and that Italy, and the Eastern pro- 
vinces, should cijutinue for a time in common. In this manner did 
three men again divide the empire of the world'; but of these- tw© 
were too great long. to be satisfied with a divisLon of power. 



m ROMAN HISTORY. 

They further agreed, to their eternal infamy, to destroy all theic* 
enemies, on which occasion Cicero caused the greatest- contro. 
versy. Anthony was his implacable enemy, and would come to no 
firm accommodation, till his destruction was determined. Lepi- 
dus, who was little better than a tool, consented to this. Caesar, 
on account of his former friendship, would have spared his life ; 
but, at last, he ignominiously consented to his death. They pro^ 
scribed 300 senators, and upwards of 2000 knights, so that Rome 
was now in a most horrible situation, nothing being heard but cries 
and lamentations in every part of it, and murders weree very where 
committed by the soldiers. 

The triumviri carried their inhumanity to such lengths, as to 
give up to one another their nearest relations. Lepidus sacrificed 
his brother Paulus to his colleagues ; Mark Anthony abandoned to 
Cxsar his uncle Lucius ; and Caesar gave up to Anthony, Cicero, to 
whom he was bound by the strictest obligations, Cicero, while on 
his fliglit, seeing ruffians coming towards him, ordered his litter 
to be set down, and quietly submitted his neck to Pomponius Lena, 
whom he before had saved from condemnation. This wretch cut 
off his hands and his head, and carried them to Anthony, who in- 
sulted over them. Some authors tell us, that it was his custom to 
have the heads of those, whom he had proscribed, brought upon 
his table, and that he there used to feed his eyes a long time with 
this cruel spectacle. Fulvia, his wife, says Dion, spit upon Cicero's- 
bead, and laying it in her lap, pulled out the tongue, and pierced 
it several times with her bodkin. The head and hands, being af- 
terwards, by order of the cruel Anthony, fixed upon the rostrum, 
the people were struck with horror, to see the remains of a man, 
w^hose unequalled eloquence had so often triumphed in that very 
place., Thus fell, about the sixty-fourth year of his age, the great- 
est orator the world ever produced. 

About the year of Rome 712, a decisive battle was fought, in 
which Antheny commanded on one side, and Marcus Brutus and 
Cassius on the other. Victory declared for Anthony ; on which 
Ckssius by his own order, was killed by his servant, and Brutus fell 
upon his sword, and expired. Such was the end of Brutus and 
Cassius, who, as some relate, died by the same weapons with 
which they had stabbed Cssar. The triumviri, by this victory, es- 
jj^iJ^Hshed their empire on the ruins of the commonwealth, itsliber- 
ties'bein'^' hurled in the plains of Pharsalia, with Brutus and Cassius, 
the lastYoma.: republicans. _ 

Cs:sar then retur»"l^d to Italy, and Anthony, after visitmg Athens, 
wher*^ he was present at tb^ conferences of the philosophers, crossed 
into Asia with all his troops, iO establish the authority of the trium- 
virate. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, (who had poisoned her younger 
brother, that she might reign alone) met him at Tarsus in Cihcia, 
which proved his destruction : for her beauty, wit, and art, inflamed 
him almost to madness, and extinguished all his military ardour. 

Cleopatra was then twenty -five years of age, when the graces of j 
her person were more powerful than the magnificence of her dress. 



ROMAJI HISTORY. 137 

The brllUancy of her equipage, on entering the river Sydnus, will 
hardly admit of a description. The poop of her ship flamed with 
g'old, the sails were of purple silk, and the oars inlaid with silver. 
A pavilion of cloth of gold was raised upon the deck, under which 
appeared the queen robed like Venus, and surrounded with the 
most beautiful virgins of her court, of whom some represented the 
Nereids, and others the Graces. Instead of trumpets were heard 
flutes, hautboys, harps, and such other musical instruments, warb- 
ling the softest airs, to which the oars kept time, and rendered the 
harmony enchanting. Perfumes were burnt on the deck, which 
spread their odours to a great distance on the river, whose shores 
were covered with an infinite number of people, crying out, that 
Venus was coming to make Bacchus a visit for the good of Asia. 

Great feasts were everyday made between Anthony and Cleopa- 
tra ; and it was at this time, that Arsinoe, Cleopatra's sister, was, at 
the request of that cruel queen, put to death. It was also, at one 
of these feasts, that Cleopatra had two of the finest pearls in her 
ears that were ever seen, each of which being valued at about 
50,000 pounds sterling. She melted one of these pearls in vinegar 
and swallowed it. She would have done the same by the other but 
was prevented. This* other pearl was afterwards consecrated 
to Venus by Augustus, who carried it from Alexandria to Rome. 

Cleopatra accompanied Anthony as far as Tyre, and he followed 
her to Alexandria, where they spent the whole winter in a most 
scandalous excess of luxury and effeminacy. Anthony afterwards 
returned to Romejand married Octavia, the sister of Caesar, and 
widow of Marcellus ; but he still retained his fondness for Cleopa- 
tra, and met her at Lucecome in Phoenicia, from whence he return- 
ed with her to Egypt, where he indulged his inordinate passion for 
this lascivious woman to the highest excess of voluptuousness. He 
gave her Phoenicia, the lower Syria, and Cyprus, with great part 
of Cilieia, Judea, and Arabia. He also made her a present of 
the libraries of Pergaraus, in which were above ^00,000 volumes, 
and she placed them in a new library^ which she built where the 
former stood. She had a taste for polite learning and sciences, 
and understood several languages. She omitted no kind of arts to 
keep Anthony in her chains, and he entered Alexandria in triumph 
dragging at his chariot wheels, the king of Armenia, laden with 
golden chains, and presented him in that condition to Cleopatra, 
who was pleased to see a captive king at her feet. At one of their 
banquets, when Anthony was intoxicated with wine, she presumed 
to ask him to give her the Roman empire, which he was not 
ashamed to promise her. 

In the mean time, and about the j^ear of Rome 711, Caesar hav- 
ing triumphed over all the republicans, thought it time to break 
with his colleagues. He wanted to reign singly, and was there- 
fore determined, if possible, to rid himself of them. He easily re- 
moved Lepidus, who being little esteemed by his soldiera, was 
abandoned by them in the midst of his camp, which Csesar became 
master of by his artful conduct and secret negociations. Lepidas 
M 2 



13S ROMAN HISTORY, 

was afterwards reduced to such an abject state, as to become even 
the pity of hi&enemies. 

Cleopatra had two sons by Anthony, one of whom was called 
Alexander, a4id the other Ptolemy. He heaped a profusion of hon- 
ours on these young princes, and celebrated the coronation of their 
mother with the utmost magnificence. Matters being carried to 
this pitch by Anthony, he gave great disgust to the Romans, and 
particularly to Octavia, his wife : she set out to meet Anthony 
with Csesar's consent, who gave it with no other view, but that An- 
thony's passion for Cleopatra might induce him to act dishonoura- 
bly by Octavia, and thereby increasing the indignation of the Ro- 
mans against Anthony^ he should have a plausible pretence for 
drawing his sword against him. 

Every thing succeeded to Caesar's wishes ; for Octavia received 
a letter from Anthony, in which she was ordered to confie no far- 
ther than Athens, and accordingly she there stopped. Cleopatra,, 
who very much dreaded the charms and virtues of Octavia, em- 
ployed all her artifice to prevent Anthoi\y's giving her meeting. 
She assumed an air of melancholy, and would frequently let fall a. 
tear on his approach, which she would wipe away immediately, af-^ 
fecting to conceal her weakness and grief. Tl-ys had its desired 
effect, for he at last ordered Octavia to return to Rome. On hec 
return, she took the greatest care of her family and behaved in such 
a manner as procured her immortal honour. She loved her hus- 
band in spite of his ill usuage, and could not bear to think, that his 
ungenerous treatment of her should again kindle the flames of a 
civil war,. How opposite was the character of Octavia to that of 
Cleopatra : how amiable does the former appear even amidst re- 
peated insults ! and- how contemptible the latter amidst the parade 
of magnificence ! 

Anthony now suffered himself to be persuaded to divorce Octavia- 
and declare war against Csesar,. both which he accordingly did. 
!He then assembled his forces at bamos, where he and Cleopatra 
lived as luxuriously as they had done in Egypt. Here several kings 
had orders to send arms, provisions, and soldiers ; and others 
to send musicians, dancers, and buffoons ; so that frequently when 
a ship was thought to come loaded with military stores, it proved 
to be only scenes, players, and machines. 

Anthony's temper, however, began at last to be much soured, 
and he even, suspected, that Cleopatra had designs on his life, and 
would never eat of any thing till she had first tasted it, Cleopatra, 
p€rceiving his. suspicion,, poisoned the tops of the flowers with 
which she and Anthony, according to the custom of those times,, 
were crowned with at tlieir meals. Anthony being enfiamed with 
wine, Cleopatra proposed drinking their flowers ; on which he in- 
stantly broke off the tops of them with his fingers, and, throwing 
them in a goblet of wine, was going to drink them, when Cleopa- 
tra stopped him, saying, *' I am the person whom you suspect of 
designing to poison you ;. but now judge, whether I should want 
opportunities to dispatch you, were you become tiresome to mcj^. 



Jt'OMAN HISTORY. 159 

Of I could live without you ;" then ordered a prisoner to be brought 
in who had been sentenced to die, she obliged him to drink off the 
liquor, when he expired immediately. This rivetted Anthony's 
fetters beyond^all hopes of shaking- them off. 

Cxsar had^fjow g-ot his forces together ; for Anthony, being- lost 
m luxury and effeminacy with Cleopatra, had given him time to re- 
cruit, who might otherwise have been totally ruined, had Anthony 
come upon him before he was prepared. Anthony's fleet consisted 
of 500 large ships, on board which was an army of 200^000 foot, and 
22,000 horse. Caesar had only 250 ships, 80,000 foot, and I2,0:)0 
horse. Anthony was advised by his ablest officers not to engage 
by sea ; but Cleopatra advising the contrary, they came to a gen- 
eral engagement near the city of Actium in Epirus, in sight of 
both armies. Victory was for some time doubtful, till the retreat of 
Cleopatra, who fled with the whole Egyptian squadron, and was 
precipitately followed by Anthony, declared every thing lost; for 
Anthony's army immediately submitted to Ciesar. 

Anthony and Cleopatra escaped to Alexandria, where she put 
many great persons to death, fearing, since the defeat she had met 
with, they might take up arms against her. To avoid falling into 
the hands of Caesar, she formed the very extraordinary design of 
having her ships, in the Mediterranean, carried into the Red Sea. 
over the isthmus of seventy miles ; but in this she was prevented 
by the Arabians, who burnt thera all. Anthony, finding himself de- 
serted by all his followers, for some time secluded himself from 
company in his house, which he called Timonium, where he pre- 
tended to act the part of Timon the man-hater ; but he soon re- 
turned to the arras of Cleopatra, and witli^ her revelled away the 
remainder of his life. 

They agreed to send ambassadors to Csesar to sue for peace ; 
and Anthony submitted to the meanness of demanding life of him 
upon the shameful conditionsof passing it at Athens as a private 
person, if Cicsar would assure Egypt to Cleopatra and her chil- 
dren. The queen, however, was so treacherous as to give private 
orders to her ambassadors to mention her o^lyin the treaty. Cse- 
sar would not admit Anthony's ambassadors to an audience, but he 
gave a favourable reception to those of the queen, I.e being par- 
ticularly desirous of securing her person to adorn his triumph, and' 
her treasures to enable him to pay the debts he had contracted, to 
defray the expenses of the war. 

The ambassadors proving unsuccessful, Anthony endeavoured to 
extinguish in himself the senseof his present misfortunes, and the 
apprehension of those that threatened him, by abandoning himself 
to feasting and voluptuousness. Cleopatra and he regaled them- 
selves alternately, and emulously contended to exceed each other 
in the incredible magniticence of their banquets, Cleopatra, how- 
ever, foresaw what might happen, and collected all sorts of poison 
to try which of them occasioned death with the least pain. Slie 
made the experiment of their virtues and strength upon condemned 
cciininalss whereby she found, that the strongest poisons caused 



140 ROMAN HISTORY. 

death the soonest, but with great torment ; and that those which 
are gentle brought an easy but slow death. She tried the bitings 
of venomous creatures, and caused various kinds of serpents to be 
applied to different persons. She every day made these experi- 
ments, and discovered, at length, that the asp was the only one 
that caused neither torture nor convulsions, and which, tiirowing" 
the person bit into an immediate heaviness and stupefaction, attena- 
ed with a slight sweating upon the face, and a numbness of all the 
organs of sense, gently extinguished life ; so that those, in that 
condition, were angry when any one awakened them, or endeav- 
oured to make them rise, like people exceedingly sleepy. This 
was the poison she fixed upon ; but applied herself with extraor- 
dinary solicitude in caressing Anthony, to dispel his suspicions and 
complaints. 

Csesar, being fully sensible that it was'^f the highest importance 
to him not to leave his victory unfinished, invested Pelusium, and 
summoned the governor to op»n the gates. Seleucus, who com- 
manded there for Cleopatra, had received secret orders upon that 
bead, and surrendered the place without waiting for a siege. Such 
was the wickedness of this queen, in whom the most odious vices 
were complicated ; she absolutely renounced all modesty, had a 
violent propensity to -fraud, injustice and cruelty ; and, vt'hat is 
worse than all, was a most detestable hypocrite. Wliile the ru- 
mour of this treason spread in the city, Cleopatra ordered her 
most precious moveables to be carried to a place of security. Ad- 
joining the temple of Isis she had caused tombs and halls to be 
erected, superb as well for their beauty and m.agnificence as their 
loftiness and extent. Hither she removed all her jewels gold, 
silver, ebony, ivory, and ? large quantity of perfumes and aromat- 
ic wood, as' if she intended to raise a funeral pile, upon which she 
would consume herself with her treasures. Caesar was alarmed on 
being informed of this^ and daily dispatched messengers to her, 
giving her the greatest hopes of the most kind and generous treat- 
ment;- while he advanced towards the city with hasty marches. 

Upon Cesar's arrival there, he encamped near the Hippororae 
and was in hopes of soon making himself master of the city, by 
means of the* intelligence he had held with Cleopatra, on which 
be relied no less than on his army. Anthony, Jaeing ignorant of 
her intrigues, prepared for an obstinate defence. He made a vig- 
orous sally, and returned victorious into the city, which was the 
last effort of his expiring genius: for, after this exploit, his for- 
titude and sense of glory forsook him, or were no more of service 
to him. Instead of pursuing his victory,and keeping a watchfuljeye 
over Cleopatra, who betrayed him, he flew to her in his armour, 
a;nd threw himself at her feet. The palace echoed with acclama- 
tions, as though the siege had been raised, and Anthony and Cleo- 
patra spent that day and part of the night in the most abandoned folly. 

Anthony now resolved to make the last attempt both by sea and 
laad, with a fixed resolution to conquer or die. He ordered his 
attendants to fill him out wine plentifully, saying, «*This may be, 



ROMAN HISTORY. 141' 

perhaps, the last service you will be able to do me ; for to-morrow 
you may change your master, when I, stretched on the ground, 
shall be no more." On the approach of day, Anthony drew up his 
forces on some rising ground out of the city, and from thence be- 
held his galleys, which were rowing out of the port, and going to 
attack those of Cccsar ; but how shall I express his astonishment 
when he beheld his admiral delivering up his fleet to his enemy ! 
At the same time, his cavalry, seeing this, deserted him and went 
over to CEesar, when his infantry was obliged to submit. Unhappy 
Anthony, in vain do you fly to the palace to seek Cleopatra, that 
you may murder her for her perfidy, for she is not there — the igno- 
minious wretch is retired I 

Cleopatra had secured herself from his fury among the tombsj 
which quarter was fortified with good walls, and the gates were 
shut. She caused Anthony to be told^ that she had destroyed, 
herself, and chose her own sepulchre among those of her ances- 
tors. Struck v/ith the idea of her death, he passed immediately 
from the excess of rage to the most violent transports of griefV 
and thought only of following her to the grave. Having taken this 
resolution, he shut himself up in his apartment with a freed-man, 
whom he had cp.usedto take off his armour, and commanded him 
to plunge his dagger into his bosom ; but his servant, full of affec« 
tion, respect, and fidelity for his master, stabbed himself with it, 
and fell dead at his feet. Anthony^, looking upon this action as an 
example for him to follow, thrust his sword into his body, and fell- 
upon the floor in a torrent of his blood, which he mingled with 
that of his faithful servant. 

At that moment an officer came to let him know that Cleopatra 
was alive. He no sooner heard her name pronounced, than he 
opened his dying eyes, suffered his wounds to be dressed,^ and 
caused himself to be carried to the fort, where she had shut^ her- 
self upo Cleopatra would not permit the gates, to be opened to 
give him entrance, for fear of some surprize ; but she appeared 
at the lofty window, from whence she threw down chains and 
cords. Antheny was made fast to these, and Cleopatra, assisted 
by two women, who were the only persons she had brought with 
her into the tombs, drew him up. Never was there a more mov- 
ing sight. Anthony, all bathed in his blood, with death painted 
in his face, was dragged up in the air, turning his dying eyes, and 
extending his feeble hands, to Cleopatra, as if to conjure her to 
receive his. last breath i while she, with her features distorted, 
and her arm& strained, pulled the cord with her whole strength 
When she had drawn him up to her, and placed him on a bed, she 
threw her clothes upon him, and, making the most mournful ex- 
clamations, cut oif his hair, according to the superstition of the 
Pagans, who believed that was a relief to those who died a violent 
death. Her cries recalling his fainting spirits, and seeing the 
affliction she was in, he told her, with a view to comfort her, that 
he should die in peace, since he should expire in her arms ; 
and that he did not blu^h^at his defeatg since he hg4 been van^ 



142 ROMAN HISTORr. 

quished by Romans. Having thus spoken, he expired, being tked 
in the fifty third year of -his age. His death put an end to all the 
civil wars, and gave Caesar an opportunity of completing his an\- 
bitious designs. 

Proculeius arrived from Caesar, who could not refrain shedding 
tears on this melancholy occasion, which was aggravated by the 
bloody sword that was presented to him. This Roman had re- 
ceived particular orders to seize Cleopatra, and, if possible, to 
bring h r alive to Caesar. The queen refused to go with him, but 
jK-rmittcd him to speak to her from without, ProculeiuSj after 
having observed the situation of the sepulchre, went and inform- 
ed Cyesar of his observations. Cxsar then sent Gallus to speak 
with her, which he did in the same manner as Proculeius. In the 
mean time, the latter bringing a ladder, and being followed hy 
two officers, got in at the window where Anthony had been drawn 
up, and went down to the gate, where Cleopati-a was talking to 
Gallus. One of her female attendants seeing him, shrieked, and 
cried, *• Ill-fated princess, thou art taken !'* Cleopatra had raised 
a. dagger to stab herself, when Proculeius, catching her iti his 
srms, " You injure," said he, " both Caesar and yourself, in at- 
tempting to deprive him of so noble an opportunity to exert his 
clemency." He seized her dagger, and shook her robes, to dis- 
cover if any poison was concealed under them Cssar then sent 
a freed-man to guard Cleopatra, ordering him to use her like a 
queen, but to prevent her from laying violent hands on herself 

Caesar then entered Alexandria without farther opposition., and 
gave Cleopatra fair hopes of the kindest treatment ; though he 
intended only to pervert her treasure to his own purposes, and 
reserve her person to grace his triumph ; but, when he had both 
in his pov/er, he disregarded her, and she found she had no other 
means of avoiding- the disgrace of adding to the glory of his tri- 
umph, than by putting a period to-her^life. Caesar went and paid 
her a visit, when she endeavoure/Tto captivate that young conquer- 
or, as she before had Julius Caesar and Anthony ; but, alas, the 
charm was now broken! Czes;ir, with the utmost coolness, only 
advised her not to despond, declaring, that he would treat Iter with 
all possible tenderness. He gave her leave to dispose of her jew- 
els as she thought proper ; and, after giving her the kindest as- 
surances, he left her. Caesar imagined he had artfully overreach- 
ed Cleopatra, by inspiring her with the love of life, which he, in 
fact, wished to prolong only for the sake of his triumph ; but 
herein he soon found his mistake. 

Caesar had before given Cleopatra leave to bury Anthony, which 
she did with the utmost magnificence, sparing no cost in his in- 
terment. According to the custom of Egypt, she caused his body 
to be embalmed with the most exquisite perfumes of the East, and 
placed it among the tombs of the Egyptian kings. 

Cleopatra, hearing that Csesar intended to send her and her 
children away within three days, she conjured him to let her pay 
lier las.t oblation^ to the manes, of Anthonvj. which he granted- 



ROMAN HISTORY. 143 

She then visited Anthony's tomb, strewing it with fiowers, and 
watering it witli tears. She then returned to her chamber, went 
into a bath, and from thence to a table, where a splendid enter- 
tainment was prepared. When she rose from table she wrote a 
letter to Caesar, wherein she earnestly desired to be laid in the 
same tomb with Anthony ; and, having made all quit her chamber, 
except her two women, she shut the door, sat down upon a bed, 
and asked for a basket of figs, which a peasant had lately brought. 
This supposed peasant was one of the queen's domesticks, who 
had eluded the vigilance of the guards. She placed the basket 
by her, and a moment after lay down, as if she had fallen asleep; 
but that was the effect of the asp, which was concealed among the 
fruit, and had stung her in the arm, which she had held to it. 
The poison immediately communicated itself to the heart, and 
killed her without pain. 

Thus died thi« princess, whose wit and beauty had made so 
much noise in the world, in the year of Rome 724, after having 
reigned twenty-two years from the .-death of her father, twelve 
whereof she had passed^with Anthony, and in the thirty-ninth 
year of her age. She was a woman of great parts, as well as of 
great vice and wickedness, and spoke several lunguages with the 
utmott readiness ; for, besides being well skilled in Creek and 
Latin, she could converse with Ethiopians, Troglodites, Jews, 
Arabians, Syrians, Medes, and Persians, without an interpreter, 
and always gave to such as were of these natioRs, as often ^s they 
had occasion to address her, an answer in their own language. In 
her death ended the reign of the Ptolemies in Egypt, after it had 
continued, from the death of Alexander, 294? years. 

Learn hence, my fair readers, how dangerous is the possession 
©f wit and beauty, where prudence and virtue are wanting. The 
young lady, on whom Heaven has bestowed an uncommon share 
of natural abilities, if she neglects to improve it by the practice 
of every social virtue, will, like the wretched XUleopatra, turn those 
blessings to punishments, in making her ruin the more public, and 
her memory the more detested. Ease, pleasures, and luxuries, 
Are too apt to lull the mind into a state of imaginary security, 
which throws virtue off its guard, and exposes the deluded fair 
to the most fatal dangers. Surrounded, in the bloom of life, by 
a crowd of admirers, who are ever ready to offer up the incense of 
flattery and adulation at the slirine of beauty, they are early accus- 
tomed to admire such declarations, and form such a plan tor their 
future conduct, as pave the way to their ruin. Remember, that 
female virtue, once lost, is never to be regained. 

But, to return to Czesar, on tlie receipt of Cleopatra's letter, in- 
stantly dispatched a messenger to her, but he found her dead on' 
a golden couch, dressed in royal robes, and looking like one asleep, 
with one of her maids dead at her feet, and tlie other expiringf. 
Caesar was very much troubled at Cleopatra's death, as it robbed 
him of tiie noblest ornament of his tinumph, though he could not 
^ut adjoirc Uie greatness of he? wuragt;. ae wdered her hodf 



144 "ROMAN HISTORY. 

to be buried near that of Anthony, agreeably to her request, which 
wa« according-ly done with the greatest fimeral pomp Her women 
had also a pompous interment, in memory of their fidelity. After 
Cleopatra's death, Egypt was made a Rotnan province, and gov- 
erned by a prefect sent from Rome for that purpose. 

Caesar, having now greatly enlarged the Roman dominions, was 
received at Rome as a conqueror, who had put an end to the mise- 
ries atid calamities of most nations. He triumphed three days 
successively with extraordinary magnificence ; first for Illyricum, 
secondly for the victory at Actium, and thirdly for the conquest of 
Egj'pt, On this occasion the temple of Janus was shut, which was 
the third time since the foundation of Rome, after having stood 
open two hundred and five \ears. 

Caesar now considering himself as supreme governor of the Ro- 
man empire, resolved to shew all the clemency of a wise prince, 
and the art of a refined politician. His first care was to make the 
adherents of Anthony his friends ; after this he gave splendid en- 
tertainments to those in power, and amused the people with shows 
and plays. He regulated the many abuses that had crept into the 
-state, banished corruption from the senate, and allov/ed the people 
the free possession of their liberties. Having settled every thing 
in the most excellent order, a variety of thoughts crowded on his 
mind, and he reflected for a considerable time, whether he should 
continue to rule the empire, or restore it to its former state. Sylla 
and Julius Caesar were tvvo examples too recent to be soon forgot- 
ten : the foimer, by giving up his power, was suffered to die peace- 
ably in his bed; whereas the latter, by maintaining it, was assas- 
sinated by the hands of his best friends, who afterwards triumphed 
in the deed. 

Not being able to determine for himself, he consulted his two 
best friends, Agrippa and Maecenas. Agrippa advised him to re- 
sign it ; but Maecenas was of a different opinion. He insisted on 
it, that it would be impossible for the state to subsist but under a 
monarch, whose person and power would be equally secure under 
a mild and wise administration. He followed the adviae of Mae- 
cenas ; and, though he offered the senate to resign it, he had no 
intention of so doing. The senate and people, however, all refus- 
ed to accept his resignation : so that he had the pleasure of being 
"Corced to accept of that which he wished for. 

Caesar, in order to appear the less fond of the power they 
had voted him, immediately declared, that he would not accept of 
sovereign dignity for more than five years ; but he continued to 
enjoy it thirty years after the expiration of that term. However 
fond Caesar might be of power, it is certain lie employed all his 
care in settling the empire on a happy and lasting foundation ; 
and, during the rest of his Ijife, acted with so much justice and 
clemency, that after his death, it was said of him, that it had been 
well he had never been born, or n.-ver died. 

The R'^roans were now arrived to the highest pitch of perfection, 
with respect to literature, arts, and sciences* Tlier^ flourished 



ROMAN HISTORY, US 

nt this time, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Tibullus, and Propertius, all 
inimitable poets ; and besides them, Livy, that immortal Roman 
Historian, Happily, those men of g-enius lived in the times of 
Cxsar and Mzecenas, who were the greatest encouragefs of learn- 
ing that perhaps ever existed.' 

About the year of Rome 727, the number 'of inhabitants are 
said to have amounted to 4,063,000 ; nor is this much to be won- 
dered at, when it is said, that the city and suburbs of Rome were 
at this time fifty miles in compass. The provinces were then di- 
vided, and all public affairs settled, when the name of Augustus 
was added to that of Caesar, as intimating something more than 
mortal. Here ended the greatest commonwealth upon earth, and 
at the same time began the greatest monarchy, which made so 
great a figure, that, for many years it was thought to be immortaL 
The Romans were at this time masters of alnaost the whole globe. 
Never before had that nation seen such happy days : wars 
no longer desolated mankind ; but the improvement of arts and 
sciences rendered them humane and happy : peace and plenty 
poured forth her gifts in abundance ; and their monarch, the source 
of all these blessings, became their idol. 

Though we have completed the plan we set cut on, that of giv- 
ing a Roman History from the foundation of Rome to the end of 
the commonwealth, it may not, nevertheless, be improper to ob- 
serve, that Augustus Cjesar died a natural death in the eighty- 
^ixth year of his age, in Athella, a town of Campania, and was 
buried at the Campus Martins at Rome. He was looked upon as 
a god ; for hardly ever was there a man more successful in war, 
or more moderate in peace, enjoying the empire with universal 
satisfaction. He was liberal to all, and most faithful to his friends, 
whom he raised to such great honours, that they almost equa;lled 
his own elevated sphere. 



SND OF yHE HISTORY OF ROWE. 



PREFACE 

ro fHE HTSfORr OF SOUfH AMERICA. 

1 HE History of South America, like all other histories- of newly 
discovered countries, has been so interwoven with fable, as in 
&ome measure to deter the youthful student from employing- his 
time in the pursuit of Trifles /• for in that light fabulous histories 
must g-enerally be considered. 

The Spanish Adventurers to the New World were mostly il- 
literate men, whose principal pursuits were gold and silver. On 
their return to their native state, their representations were g-uided 
by interest and vanity ; and, ashamed of having made no observa- 
tions on the rude arts, manufactures, and genius of the people they 
had conquered, they fabricated stories the most wild, romantic 
and ridiculous, to which tiie Spanish writers of those days gave a 
helping hand. 

The literary world is undoubtedly mucli obliged to the labour, 
genius, and attention of Dr Robertson, whose extensive and polite 
oonnections enabled him to procure information for his History of 
Americi, which few other individuals could perhaps have obtained. 
We have therefore carefully consulted and followed that work, by 
the assistance of which we may venture to say, that we have now 
the pleasure of laying before our youthful Readers such an epitome 
fef The History of South America as may by no means be considered 
as fabulous, but as founded on the most authentic materials- a^nd 
sathorities. 



THE 

HISTORY 

OF 

SOUTH AMERICA. 



CHAP. L 



OO nice and eoynplicateji'Strei^e^rts of navigation and ship-bmld« 
°mg, that they requirjer the ingenuity and experience of many suc- 
ceeding ages, to bring them to any tolerable degree of perfection. 
The raft or canoe, which at first served to convey a savage over a 
river, that obstructed him in the chase, gave rise to the invention 
of constructing a vessel capable of carrying a numberof people in 
safety to a distant coast Many efforts were made, many experi- 
ments were tried, and much labour and invention employed, be- 
fore this important undertaking was accomplished. 

In propprtijon as the art of navigation increased, men became more 
acquainted with each other, and a commerical intercourse com- 
menced between remote nations. Men must have made some con- 
siderable advancements towards civilization, before they acquired 
the idea of property, and ascertained it so perfectly, as to be ac- 
quainted with the most simple of all contracts, that of exchanging by 
barter one rude commodity for another. However, as soon as this 
important riglit was established, and every individual felt, that he 
had an exclusive title to possess or alienate whatever he had ac- 
quired by his own labour or dexterity, the wants and ingenuity of 
his nature suggested to him, a new method of increasing' his- ac- 
quisitions and enjoyments, by disposing of what appeared to him 
superfluous, in order to procure what was necessary or desirable 
in the possession of oUiers. 

As navigation and commerce extended, so in course did the in. 
tercourse of remote nations. The ambition of conquest or the ne- 
cessity of procuring new settlements, were no longer the sole 
motives of visiting distant lands. The desire of gain became & 
new spur to activity, roused adventurers, and sent them out on 
long voyages, in the pursuit of countries, whose produce or want 
might increase that circulation, which nourishes and gives vigour 
to commerce. Trade proved a great source of discovery, it open* 
ed unknown seas, it penetrated into new regions, and contri- 
buted more than any other cause, to bring men acquainted witk- 



150 THE HISTORY OF 

the situation, the nature, and commodities of the different regions 
of the earth. 

The structure of the vessels used by the ancients was very rude 
and imperfect, and their method of working them on the ocean was 
very defective. Thougli the property of the mag-net, by which it 
attracts iron, was well known to the ancients, its more important 
and amazing virtue of pointing to th^ poles had entirely escaped 
their ^observation. Destitute of this faithful guide, which now 
conducts the pilot with so much certainty in the unbounded ocean 
during the darkness of night, or when the heavens are covered 
with clouds, the ancients had no other method of regulating their 
course than by observing the sun and stars. Their navigation was 
consequently uncertain and timid. They dared not even to quit 
sight of land, but crept along the coast, exposed to all the dangers 
and retarded by all the obstructions unavoidable in holding such an ' 
aukvvard course. An incredible length of time was requisite for 
performing voyages, which are now finished in a short space. 
Even in the mildest climates, and in the seas the least tempestuous- 
it was only during tlie summer months that the ancients ventured 
eut of their harbours, the remainder of the year being lost in in- 
activity. , 

The Egyptians,'s6on after the establishment of their monarchy, 
are reported to have commenced a trade between the Arabian 
Gulph, or Red Sea, and the western coast of the great India con- 
tinent. The commodities, which they imported from the East 
were carried by land from the Arabian Gulph to the banks of the 
Nile, and conveyed down that river to the Mediterranean ; but the 
fertile soil and mild climate of Egypt, producing; all the necessaries 
and comforts of life, the Egyptians, had no inducements to under- 
take long and hazardous voyages. 

The Phenicians possessed a spirit more favourable to commerce 
;.md discovery than the Egyptians. They had not, like the natives 
of Egypt, any distinguishing peculiarity in their manners and in- 
stitutions ; they were not addicted to any singular and unsocial 
form of superstition, and could mingle with other nations without 
scruple or reluctance. The territory they possessed was neither 
large nor fertile, and commerce was the only source from which 
they could derive opulence or power. The trade, therefore, car- 
ried on by t]ie Phenicians of Sidon and Tyre was more extensive 
und enterprising than that of any state in the ancient world. In 
many of the places to which they resorted, they planted colonies, 
,and communicated to the rude inhabitants some knowledge of their 
arts and improvements. 

The Jews, encouraged by the riches they saw tbe Phenicians 
acquiring from commerce seemed desirous to endeavour to partake 
of it. Solomon fitted out fleets, which under the direction of Phe- 
nician pilots, sailed from the Red Sea to Tarshish and Ophir ; but 
the singular institution of the Jews, the observance of which was 
enjoined by their Divine Legislator, with an intention of preserving 
tkem a separate people, uninfected by idolatry, prevented thel^* 



SOUTH AMERICA, 151 

being- numbered among the nations, which contributed to improve 
navig-ation, or to make any material or useful discoveries. 

The Carthaginians caught the spirit of commerce from the Phe- 
nicians and Jews. The commonwealth of Carthage applied to 
trade and naval affairs with the greatest success. They extended 
their navigation chiefly towards the west and north, and visited not 
only all the coasts of Spain, but those of Gaul, and penetrated at 
last into Britain, They made considerable progress by land, into* 
the interior provinces of Africa, traded v/ith some of them, and sub- 
jected others to their empire. They sailed along the western- 
coast of that great continent, almost to the tropick of Cancer, and. 
placed several colonies, in order to civilize the natives, and accus- 
tom them to commerce. 

It is evident that the Phenicians, who instructed the Greeks in 
many useful arts and seiences did nut communicate to them that 
extensive knowledge of navigation, which they themselves posses- 
sed; nor did the Romans imbibe that commercial spirit and ar- 
dour for discovery, which distinguished their rivals, the Carthagi- 
nians. Though Greece be almost encompassed by the sea, which 
formed many spacious bays and commodious harbours : though it 
be surrounded by a vast number of fertile Islands, yet, notwith- 
standing such a favourable situation, which seemed to invite that 
ingenious people to apply themselves to navigation, it was long 
before this art attained any degree of perfection among them. 
Even at the time, when the Greeks engaged in the famous enter- 
prize against Troy, their knowledge in na,val affairs seems not to 
have been much improved. Their vessels were of inconsiderable 
burthen and mostly without decks. These had only one mast, and 
they were strangers to the use of anchors. All their operations in 
sailing were clumsy and unskilful. 

The expedition of Alexander the Great into the East, consider- 
ably enlarged the sphere of na-^dgation and of geographical knowl- 
edge among the Greeks. He fouwded a great city, which he cal- 
led Alexandria, near one of the mouths of the river Nile, that by 
the Mediterranean sea, and the neighbourhood of the Arabian Gulf 
it might command the trade both of the East and West. This 
situation was chosen with such discernment, that Alexandria 
soon became the chief commercial city in the world. 

The progress made by the Romans in navigation and discovery, 
was still more inconsiderable than that of the Greeks. The genius 
of the Roman people, their military education, and the spirit of 
their laws concurred to discourage them from commerce and naval 
affairs. It was the necessity of opposing a fqrmidable rival, not 
the desire of extending trade, which first prompted them to aim 
at maritime power. 

As soon as the Romans acquired a taste for the luxuries of the 
East, the trade with India through Egypt svas pushed with new 
vigour, and carried on to greater extent. By frequenting the In- 
dian coTitinent, navigators became acquainted with the periodical 
course of the winds, which, in the oc^n that separates Afnc?i 



1^ *FKE HISTORY OF 

rTOtn- India, blow with little duration during one half of the yeaf - 
from the East., and during" the other half blow with equal steadiness 
,from the West Encouraged by this observation, they abandoned 
^eir ancient, slow and dangerous course along the coast, and as 
soon as the western monsoon set in took their departure from 
Ocelis, at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf, and stretched boldly 
across the ocean. The uniform direction of the wind, supplying 
the place of the compass, and rendering tiie guidance of the stars 
less necessary conducted them to the port of Musiris, on the West- 
ern sliore of the Indian continent. There they took on board their 
cargo, and returning with the eastern monsoon, finislied their voy- 
age to the Arabian Gulf within the year. This paj t oflndia, now 
known by the name of the Malabar coast, seems to have, been the. 
utmost limits ofancier.t navigation in that quarter of the- globe. . 

The discovery of this new method of sailing to India, is the most- 
considerable improvement in navigation made by the Romans dur- 
ing the continuance of their power. In ancient times, the knowl- 
edge of remote countries was more frequently acquired by land 
than by sea; . and the. Romans, from theii* particular dislike to mar- 
itime affairs, may be said to have totally neglected the latter^, 
though a much, more preferable way to make discoveries, being 
more easy and expeditious. 

If we reject fabulous and obscure accounts, if we closely abide 
by the light.and information of authentic history, Vvitliout giving 
way to the conjectures of fancy, or the dreams of etymologists, 
we must conclude, that the knowledge which the ancients had ac- 
quired of the habitable globe was very confined and superficial. 
In Europe, the extensive provinces in the eastern part of Germany 
were little known to them. They were almost totally unacquainted 
with the vast countries which are now subjects to the kings of 
Denmark, Sweden, Prussia, Poland and the Russian empire. The 
more barren regions, .which stretch within the arctic circle were,, 
quite unexplored. In Africa, their researches did not extend far 
beyond the provinces which border on the Mediterranean, and 
tliose situated on the western shore of the Arabian Gulf. In Asia, 
they were u ^acquainted with all the fertile and delightful countries 
beyond the Ganges, which furnish tiie most valviable^ommodities 
for the European commerce with India; nor do they seem to have 
ever penetrated into those immense regions, occupied by the wan- 
dering tribes, wliich they called by the general name of Scythians^ 
and now possessed by Tartars of- various denominations, and by. 
the Asiatic Russian subjects. 

But however imperfect or inaccurate the geographical knowl- 
edge which tlie Greeks and Romans had acquired m^y appear, in 
respect of the pi^esent improved state of that science, their pro- 
jjress in discovery will seem consideiable, and the extent to which 
they carried navigation and commerce, must be considered afr 
great, when compared with the ignorance of early times. Geogra-. 
phy continued to improve under the Romans so long as they re- 
WMined in their powerful state j but when the barbarians broke i.^ 



SOUTH AMERPGi^ t5T 

upon them, the consequence of luxury and effeminacy, the sci- 
ences then dwindled, and di&coveries- ceased to be made.. 

Constantinople, after the dxsstruction of the Roman empire, 
though often threatened by the fierce invaders, who spread deso- 
lation over the rest of Europe, was so fortunate as to escape their 
destructive rage. The knowledge of ancient arts and discoveries 
were preserved in that city, a taste for splendour and elegance still 
subsisted, the productions and luxuries of foreign countries were 
in request} and commerfce continued to flourish in Constantinople, 
when it was almost extinct in every other part of Europe. 

Much about the same time, a gleam of light and knowledge 
^ broke in upon the East. The Arabians, having contracted some 
relish for the sciences of the people whose empire they had con- 
tributed to overturn, translated the books of several of the Greek 
philosophers into their own language. The study of geography in 
course became an early object of attention to the Arabians : but 
that acute and ingenious people cultivated chiefly the specula- 
tive and scientific parts of geography. In order to ascertain the 
figure and dimensions of our earth, they applied the principles of 
geometry, they had recourse to astronomical observations, and 
employed experiments and operations, which Europe, in more en- 
lightened times, have eagerly adopted and imitated. 

The calamities and desolation brought upon the western prov- 
inces of the Roman empire by its barbarous conquerors, by de- 
grees were forgotten and in some measure repaired* The rude 
tribes which settled there, acquiring insensibly some idea of regu- 
lar government, and some relish for the functions and comforts of 
civil life. Europe awakened, in some degree, from. its torpid and 
inactive state, the first symptoms of which were discerned in Italy. 
The acquisition of these roused industry, and gave motion and 
vigour to all the active powers of the human mind : foreign com- 
merce revived, navigation was ^attended to, and great pains taken^ 
to improve it. 

From that period, the commercial spirit of Italy became active 
and enterprising. Venice, Genoa, and Pisa, rose from inconsider- 
able tov^rns, to be populous and wealthy cities ; their naval power 
increased, their vessels frequented not only all the ports in the 
Mediterranean, but venturing sometimes beyond the straits, vis- 
ited the maritime towns of Spain, France, the Low Countries, and 
England. 

While the cities of Italy were thus advancing in their career of 
Improvement, an event happened, the most extraordinary perhaps 
in the history of mankind, vv'hich, instead of obstructing the com- 
mercial progress of the Italians, contributed to its increase. The 
martial spirit of the Europeans, heightened and inflamed by reli=. 
gious zeal, prompted them to attempt the deliverance of the Holy 
Land from the dominion of infidels. Vast armies composed of 
all the nations in Europe, moved towards Asia on this strange en- 
terprise. The Genoese, Pisans and Venetians furnished the trans=- 
port£ to carry them thiiher> and supplied thera with provisions anil 



M4? THE HISTORY OF 

military stores. Besides the immense sums which they received 
on this account they obtained commercial privileg-es and establish- 
ments. From these sources prodig-ious wealth flowed into the 
cities above mentioned. This was accompanied with a proportional 
mcrease of power, and by the end of the Holy War, Venice, in 
particular, becaine a g-reat maritime state, possessing an extensive 
commerce and ample territorieSi 

Communications being thus opened between Europe and the 
western provinces of Asia, several persons were encouraged to 
advance far beyond the countries, in which tlie crusaders carried 
on their operations, and to travel by land into the more remote and 
opulent regions of the East. The wild fanaticisms, which seem 
at that period to have ralng;led in all the schemes^of individuals, no 
less than in all the councils of nations, first incited men to enter 
upon these long and dangerous excursions. They were afterwards 
undertaken from prospects of commercial advantage, or from mo- 
tives of mere curiosity. 

In the midst of tliis rising desire for discovery sl very fortunate- 
event took place, which contributed more than all the efforts and- 
ingenuity of preceding ages to improve and extend navigation. 
That wonderful property of the magnet, by which it communicates 
such virtue toa needle or slender rod of iron, as to point towards 
thepoles of tlie earth, was^ happily discovered. The use which 
might be made of this in directing- navig;^tion, was immediately 
perceived. From hence, that most valuable, but now familiar in- 
strument, the mariner's compasswas formed. As soon as navi- 
gators found by means of this, that' at all seasons, and in every 
place, they could discover the North and South with so much ease 
and accuracy, it became no longer necessary to depend merely on 
tlie light of the stars, and the observation of the sea-coast. They 
gradually abandoned their ancient timid and lingering course along- 
the shore, launched boldly into the ocean^ and relying on this new 
guide, could steer in the darkestnighl, and under the most cloudy 
sky, with a security and precision hitherto unknown. The com- 
pass may be said to have opened to man the domituon of the sea, 
and to have put him in full possession of the earth, by enabling 
him to visit every part of it. 

About the year 1365, Providence seemed to have decreed^ that 
at this period men were to pass the limits within which they had: 
been so long confined, and open to themselves a more ample field, 
wherein to display their talents, their enterprise,, and courage. 
The first considerable efforts towards this were not made by any 
of the more powerful states of Europe, or by those who had ap- 
plied to navigation with the greatest assiduity and success. The 
glory of taking the lead in this bold attempt was reserved for the 
Portuguese, whose kingdom was the smallest and least powerful 
of any in Europe. As the attempts of the Portuguese to acquire 
the knowledge of those parts of the globe, with which mankind 
were then unacquainted, not only improved and extended the art 
of navigation, but roused such a spirit of curiosity and enterpfixes. 



SOUTH AMERICA, 155 

as led to the discovery of the New World, of which we are pre- 
sently to give the history. 

Various circumstances urged the Portuguese to exert their ac- 
tivity in this new direction, and enabled them to accomplish un- 
dertakings apparently superior to the natural force of their n-ion- 
archy John I. King of Portugal, surnamed the Bastard, having 
obtained secure possession of the crown, in the year 1411, soon 
perceived, that it would be impossible to preserve public order, 
or domestic tranquillity, without finding some employment for the 
restless spirit of his subjects With this view, he assembled a 
numerous fleet at Lisbon, composed of all the ships he could fit 
out in his own kingdom, andof many hired from foreigners. This 
great armament fitted out in 1412, was destined to attack the 
Moors settled on the coasts of Barbary. While the fleet was 
equipping, a few vessels were appointed to sail along the western 
shore of Africa, bounded by tho Atlantic ocean, and to discover 
the unknownxountries situated there. 

The particular situation of Portugal was an invitation to this 
new uiidertaking, and the genius of the age being favour?,ble to 
the execution of it, it proved successful. The vessels sent on the 
discovery doubled the formidable Cape Non, which had terminat- 
ed the progress of former navigators, and proceeded one hundred 
and sixty miles beyond it. to Cape Bojador. As its rocky cliffs, 
which stretched a considerable way into the Atlantic, appeared 
more dreadful than the promontory they had passed, the Portu- 
guese commander was afraid to attempt to sail round it, but re- 
turned to Lisbon, more satisfied with having advanced so far, than 
ashamed of not having gone further. 

Though this voyage was in itself inconsiderable, yet it increased 
the passion for discovery, which began to shew itself in Portugal. 
The fortunate issue of the king's expedition against the Moors of 
Barbary, added strength to that spirit in the nation, and pushed it 
onto new undertakings. In order to render these successful, it 
was necessary, that they should be conducted by a person who 
possessed abilities capable of discerning what was attainable, who 
enjoyed leisure to form a regular system for prosecuting discov- 
ery, and who was aniniated with ardour, that would persevere in 
spite of obstacles and repulses : happily for Portugal, she found 
all these qualities in Henry duke of Viseo, the fourth son of King 
John. That prince, in his early youth having accompanied his 
father in his expedition to Barbary. distinguished himself by many 
deeds of valour. To the marshal spirit which was the character- 
istic of every man of noble birth at that period, he added all the 
accomplishments of a more enlightened and polished age. He 
cultivated the arts and sciences, which were then little known, and 
despised by persons of his exalted situation. He was particularly 
fond of the study of geography, and he early acquired such a 
knowledge of the habitable globe, as discovered the great pi-oba- 
bility of finding new and epvileut countries, by sailing along- the 
[,, coast of Africa = ■ ■ - ■■ , 



166 THE HISTORY OF * 

The commencement of every new undertaking is usually attend- 
ed with trifling- success. In the year 1418 he fitted out a single 
ship, and gave the command of it to two gentlemen of his house- 
hold, who offered themselves as volunteers to conduct the enter- 
prise. He instructed them to double Cape Bojador, and thence to 
steer towards the south. They held their course along the shore, 
the mode of navigation which still prevailed, when a sudden squall 
of wind arose, which drove them out to sea, and, when they expect- 
ed every moment to perish, it blew them on an unknown island, 
which, fr^m their happy escape, they armed Porto Santo. They 
instantly returned to Portugal with the news of their discovery, and 
were received by Henry with the applause and honour due to for- 
" tunate adventurers. 

The next yeai- Henry sent out three ships under the same com- 
manders, in order to make a settlement in Porto Santo. From 
this island they observed towards the south a fixed spot in the 
horizon, like a small black cloud. They were by degrees led to 
conjecture it might be land, and steering- towards it, they arrived 
at a considerable island, uninhabited and covered with wood, 
which on that account they called Madeira As it was Henry's 
principal object to render his discovericte useful to liis country, he 
immediately equipped a fleet to carry a colony of Portuguese to 
these islands. He took care that they should be furnished not 
only with the seeds, .plants, and domestic animals common in Eu- 
rope, but, as he foresaw that the warmth of the climate and fertil- 
ity of the soil, would prove favourable to the rearing of other pro- 
ductions, he procured slips of the vine from the island of Cyprus, 
the rich wines of which were then in great request, and plants of 
the sugar cane from Sicily, into which it had been recently intro- 
duced. These throve so prosperously in this nev/ country, that 
the advantage of their culture was immediately perceived, and the 
sugar and wine of Madeira, soon became considerable articles of 
commerce, from which the Portuguese derived great advantage. 

These important successes gave a spur to the spirit of discovery, 
and induced the Portuguese, instead of servilely creeping ^long 
tlie coast, to venture into the open sea. They doubled Cape Boja- 
dor, in 1433, and advanced vv4thin the tropics. In the course of a 
few years they discovered the river Senegal, and all the. coast ex- 
tending from Cape Blanco, to Cape de Verde. 

The Portuguese had hitherto been guided in their discoveries, 
or encouraged to attempt them, by the light and information they 
received from the works of the ancient mathematicians and geo- 
graphers ; but when they began to entef the torrid zone, the no- 
tions which prevailed among the ancients that the heat was so in- 
tense as to render it insupportable, deterred them, for some time, 
from proceeding, However, notwithstanding these unfavourable 
appearances, in 1449 the Portuguese discovered tlie Cape dte Verde 
islands, which lie off the promontory of that name, and soon after 
the isles called Azores, As the former of these are above 
three hundred miles from the African coast and the iat« 



SOUTH AMERICA. 15? 

er nine hundred miles from any continent, it is evident that {he 
Portuguese had made great advances in the art of navigation. 

The passion for discoveries received an unfortunate check by 
the death of Prince Henry, whose superior knowledge had hither- 
to directed ail the operations of the discoverers and whose patron- 
age had encouraged and protected tliem. However notwithstand- 
ing all the advantages they derived from hence, the Portuguese, 
during his hfe, did not advance, in their utmost progress towards 
the south, within live degrees of the equinoctial line ; and after 
their continued exertions for half a century, hardly loOO miles of 
the coast of Africa was discovered. 

The Portuguese in 1471, ventured to cross the line, and, to their 
astonishment, found that region of the torrid zone, wiiich was sup- 
posed to be scorched with intolerable heat, to be habitable, popu» 
lous, and fertile 

Under the direction of John II. in 1484, a powerful fleet was 
fitted out, which advanced above fifteen hunflred miles beyond the 
line, and the Portuguese, for the first time beheld a new heaven, 
and observed the stars of another hemisphere. 

By their constant intercourse with the people of Africa, they 
gradually acquired some knowledge oftliose parts of that country, 
which they had not visited. The inibrmation they received from 
the natives, added to what they had observed in their own voyages, 
began to open prospects of a more extensive nature They found, 
as ihey proceeded southward, that the continent of Africa, instead 
of extending in breadth, according to the doctrine of Ptolemy, ap- 
peared sensibly to contract itself and to bend towards the east. 
This induced therato give credit to the ancient Phenician voyages 
round Africa, wiiich had lon[; been considered as fabulous, and gave 
them reason to hope, that by following the same route, they might 
arrive at the Ea^t Indies, and engross that commerce, which had 
so long contributed to enrich other powers. 

In 1486, the conduct of a voyage for tnis purpose, the most dan- 
gerous and difficult the Portuguese had ever embarked in, was 
entrusted to Bai'tholornew Diaz, whostrelched boldly towards the 
south, and pro. eeding beyond the utmv)st limits to which his coun- 
trymen h"d hitherto advanced discovered near a thousand miles 
of anew counti'V. Neither the combined powers of violent tem- 
pests, and the frequent mutinies of his cr^w, nor even the calamities 
of famine, which he suifered fivnn losing his storeship, could deter 
him fi"om the pursuit of his grand object. In spite of all, he at last 
discovered that lofty promontory, which bounds Africa to the south j 
but he did nothing moie than discover it. The violence of the 
winds, the shattered conditiim of liis ships, and the turbulent spirit 
of his sailors compelled iiim to return after a voyage of sixteen 
months. The king of Portugal, as he now entertained no doubt 
of having found the long desired rout to India, gave this promon- 
tory the name of the Cape of Good Hope. 

These sanguine ideas of success were strengthened by the in- 
telligence the king received over land, in consequence of his em- 

Q 



l58 THE HISTORY OF 

■fcassy t<> Abyssinia. Covillam and Payva, by the King's instruct 
tions, had repaired to Crand Cairo. From this city they travelled 
in company with a caravan of Eg-yptian merchants, and embarking 
on the Red Sea, arrived at Arden, in Arabia. There they separ- 
ated ; Payva sailed directly towards Abyssinia ; Covillam embark- 
ed for the East Indies, and having- visited Calecut, Goa, and other 
cities of the Malabar coast, returned to Sofala, on the east side of 
Africa, and thence to Grand Cairo, which Paj-va andh.e had fixed 
upon as their«^laye of meeting. The former howeyer was unfor- 
tunately and cruelly murdered in Abyssinia : bat Covillam found 
at Cairo two Portuguese Jews, whom the King of Portugal had 
disp:itched after them, in order to receive an account of their pro- 
ceedings, and to communicate to them new instructions. By one 
of these Jews Covillam transmitted to Portugal a journal of his 
proceedings by sea and land,, his remarks upon the trade of In- 
dia, together with exact maps of the coast on which he had touch- 
ed ; and from what be himself had observed, as well as from the 
information of skilful seamen in different countries, he concluded, 
that by sailing round Africa, a passage might be found to the East 
Indies. The happy coincidence of Coyillam's report and opinion 
with the discoveries lately made by "Diaz, left hardly any shadow of 
doubt with respect to the possibility of sailing from Europe. Kowr 
ever, the vast length of the voyage, and the furious storms, which 
Diaz had encountered near the Cape of Good Hope, alarmed and 
intimidated the Portuguese to such a degree, although tliey were 
become adventurous and skilful mariners, that some time was re- 
quisite to prepare their minds fol* this dangerous and extraordinary- 
Toyage. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RE.<30RD:^P IN THIS CHAyTER, 

Introduction of covnnercial pursuits. 

Imperfextions of navigation afnong the ancients. 

Navigatio7i and conmerce of tht J£gyptians^ Fhenicians, j^ewSy-Car' 
tJiaginianSy Greeks, and Eornans. 

The first regular plan of discovery formed by the Portuguese. 

The use of tht mariners, com,pass discovered about 1322. 

The Portuguese doubled Cape Bojador about the year 1412. 

Attempts to discover a nevj route to the East Indies. 

Voyage of Bartholomev) Diaz, in 14iS6 who penetrated as far as tie 
-Cape of Good Hope. 



CHAP. 11. 



Christopher COLUMBjUS, a subject to the republic of Ce- 
noa, was among the foremost of those foreigners whom the fame of 
the discoveries made bv the Portuguese had allured into their se - 
f\ce. Though neither the time nor place of his birth are certainly 
Irnown. yet it was on all hands agreed, that he was descended from 



SOUTH AMttjRICAv \5& 

ati honourable family reduced to indigence by misfortunes. As his 
ancestors were accustomed to a sea-faring- life, Columbus become 
naturally fond of it himself, and very early discovered those tal- 
ents for that profession, which plainly indicated the great man he 
was one day to be. He applied with uncommon ardour to the study 
of the latin tongue, geography, astronomy, and the art of drawing. 
Thus qualified, in 1461, at the age of fourteen, he went to sea, and 
began his career on that element, which conducted him to so much 
glory. 

In 1467, he repaired to Lisbon, where many of his countrymen 
were settled. They soon conceived such a favourable opinion of 
Jiis merit and talents, that they warmly solicited him to remain m 
their kingdom, where his naval skill and experience Could not fail 
of rendering him conspicuous. 

To find out a passage by s^ea to the East Indies, Was the grea* 
object in view at that period. From the time that the Portuguese 
doubled Cape de Verde, this was the point at which they aimed 
in all-their navigations. The tediousness of the course, which the 
Portuguese were pursuing, naturally led Columbus to consider, 
whether a shorter and more direct passage to' the East Indies, 
than that projected by sailing round the African continent, might 
not be found out. After reviving long and sericXisly every circum* 
stance suggested by his superior knowledge in the theory, as well 
as practice of navigation, after comparing attentively the observa- 
tions of modern pilots, with the hints andconjectures of ancient au- 
thors, he at last concluded, that by sailing directly towards the' 
West, across the Atlantic ocean, new countries, which probably 
formed a part of the vast continent of India, must infallibly be dis^* 
covered. 

Filled with these ideas, he laid his scheme before the Senate of 
Genoa, and making his country the first tender of his service, of- 
fered to sail under the banners of the republic, in quest of the new^ 
regions he expected to discover 4 but they inconsiderately rejected 
his proposal, as a dream of a chimerical projector^ He then sub- 
mitted his plan to the Portuguese, who endeavoured to rob him 
of the honour, by sending another person privately to pursue the 
same track proposed by him ; but the pilot chosen to execute Co- 
lumbus's plan, had neither the genius nor the fortitude of its author. 
Contrary winds arose, no sigiit of approaching land appeared, his 
courage failed, and he returned to Lisbon, execrating a plan,w hich 
he bad no abilities to execute 

Columbus no sooner discovered this dishonourable treatment, 
than he instantly quitted Portugal in disgust, and repaired to Spain 
about the close of the year 1484. Here he resolved to propose it 
in person to Ferdinand and Isabella, who at that time governed 
the united kingdoms of Castile and Arragon. He also sent his 
brother to England, to propose his plan to Henry VIII. 

After a long succession of mortifying circumstances and disap- 
pointments, Isabella was persuaded to send for Columbus to court. 
Tl|,€ cordial reception he there met with from the queen, together 



160 THE HISTORY OF 

with the near prospect of setting- out upon that voyage, whicli had 
so long- been the object of his thoug-hts and wishes, soon eflaced 
the remembrance of all that he had sufiered in Spain, during- eig-ht 
tedious years of solicitation and suspense. The neg-ociation nqw 
went forward rapidly, and a treaty with Columbus was sii^ned on 
the 17th of April, 1492. 

The chief articles of it were, 1. Ferdinand and Isabella, as sov- 
reigns of the ocean, constituted Columbus their high admiral in all 
the seas, islands, and continents, which should be discovered by 
las industry; and stipulated, that he and his heirs should enjoy 
this office, v/ith the same powers and prerogatives, which belonged 
to the high admiral of Castile, within the limits of his jurisdiction. 
'2. They appointed Columbus their viceroy in all tlie islands and 
continents which he should discover : but if, for the better admin- 
istration of affairs, it should hereafter be necesssary to establish a 
separate governor in any of those countries, they authorized Co- 
lumbus to name three persons, of whom they would choose one for 
that office ; and the dignity of viceroy, \;\itli all its immunities, was 
likewise to be hereditary in the family of Columbus. 3. They granted 
to Columbus and his heirs, for ever, the tenth of tiie free profits 
accruing from the productions and commerce of the countries 
which he should discover. 4. They declared, that if any contro- 
versy or law suit should arise with respect to any merchantile 
transaction in the countries which should be discovered, it should 
be determined by the sole authonly of Columbus, or of judges to 
be appointed by him. 5, They permitted Columbus to advance 
one eighth part of what should be expended in preparing for the 
expedition, and in carrying on commerce with the countries which 
he should discover, and intitled him, in return, to an eighth part of 
the profit. ~ , 

Ferdinand, though his name appears conjoined with that of 
Isabella in this transaction, refused to take any part in it as King* 
of Arragon, his distrust of Columbus being very violent. 

After all the efforts of Isabella and Columbus, the armament was 
not suitable, either to the dignity of the power who equipped it, or 
to the importance of the service to which it was destined. It con- 
sisted of three vessels. The largest, a ship of no considerable 
burden, was commanded by Columbus, as admiral, who gave itthe 
name^ of Santa Maria. Of the second called the Pinta, Martin 
Pinzon was captain, and his brother Francis pilot. The tliird, 
named the Nigna, was under the command of Vincent Yanez 
Pinzon. These two were light vessels, hardly superior in burden 
«r force to large boats. The sum employed in the whole of this 
equipment did not exceed 40001. 

On the Sdday of August, 1492, Columbus set sail, a little before 
sun-rise in presence of a vast crowd of spectators, who sent up 
their supplications to Heaven for the prosperous issue of the voy- 
age, which they wished rather than expected. Columbus steered 
directly for the Canary Islands, from whence he departed on the 6tli 
of September. In the short run to the Canaries, the ships were 



^ SOUTH AMERICA; 16^ 

found to be so crazy andillappoirited, as to be very improper for 
a navigation, which was expected to be both long- and dangerous. 

Columbus, on leaving- the Canaries, held his course due west, 
left immediately the usual track of navigation, and stretched into 
unfrequented and unknown seas. By the 14th of September, the 
fleet was about two hundred leagues to the West of the Canary 
islands, at a greater distance from land than any Spaniard had been 
before that time. Columbus early discovered from the spirit of 
his followers, that he must prepare ta struggle, not only with the 
unavoidable difficulties, which might be expected from the nature 
of his undertaking, but with such as were likely to arise fi'«m the 
ignorance and timidity of the people under his command. All the 
art and address he was master of was hardly sufficient to quell the 
mutinous disposition of his sailors ; who grew the mofe turbulent 
in proportion as their distance increased from home. 

On the 11th of October, Columbus was soconfidentof being near 
land, that he ordered, the sails to be furled, and the ships to lie 
by, keeping strict watch, lest they should be driven on shore in the 
night. During this interval of suspense and expectation, no man 
shut his eyes, all kept upon deck, gazing intently towards that 
quarter where they expected to discover the land, which had been 
so long the object of their wishes. A little after midnight, the 
joyful sound of /anc// land !^ was heard-from the Pinta, which kept 
always a-head of the other ships ; but, having been so often de- 
ceived by fallacious appearances, every man was nov/ become slow 
of belief, and waited, in all th^ anguish of uncertainty and impa- 
tience, for the return of day. 

On the 12th of October, as soon as morning dawned, all doubts 
and fears were dispelled. From every ship an island was seen 
about two leagues to the North, whose flat and verdant fields, 
well stored with wood, and watered with many rivulets, presented 
the aspect of a delightful country. The crew of the Pinta instantly 
began the Te Deum, as a hymn of thanksgiving to God, and were 
joined by those of the other ships, with tears of joy and transports 
of congratulation. They then on their knees begged pardon of 
Columbus for the mutinous spirit they had shewn, acknowledged 
his superior abilities, and promised implicit obedience to his will 
in future. 

The boats being manned and armed as soon as the sun arose, 
they rowed towards the island with their colours displayed, war- 
like music, and other martial pomp. As they approached the coast 
they saw it covered with a multitude of people, whom the novelty 
of the spectacle had drawn together, whose attitudes and gestures 
expressed wonder and astonishment at the strange objects before 
them. He landed in a rich dress, with a sword in his hand. His 
men followed, and kneeling down, they all kissed the ground wdiichi 
they had so long desired to see. They then took solemn posses- 
sion of the country for the crown of Castile and Leon. 

The dress of the Spaniards, the whiteness of their skins, theii* 
beards, their arms, appeared strange and surprising to the native*. 
2 



X62 THE HISTORY Of 

The vast machines in which they had tfaversed the^ ocean, that 
seemed to move upon the water with wings, and uttered a dreads 
ful sound resembling thunder accompanied with lightening an 
smoke, struck them with such terror, that they began to consider 
them as children of the Sun, who had descended to visit mortals 
here below. 

The Spaniards were no less surprised at the novelty of their sit- 
uation. Every herb, shrub, and tree, was different from those 
which flourished in Europe. The inhabitants appeared in the simple 
innocence of nature, entirely naked. Their black hair, long and un- 
curled, floated upon their shoulders, or was bound in tresses round 
their ha ds. They had no beards, tind every part of their bodies was 
perfectly smooth. Their complexion was of a dusky copper colour, 
their features singular, rather than disagreeable, and their aspect 
gentle and timid. They were at first shy through fear, but soon 
became familiar with the Spaniards, and with transports of joy re- 
ceived from them hawks-belb, glass beads, or other baubles, in re- 
turn for which, they gave such provisions as they had, and some 
cotton yarn, the only commodity of value that they could produce. 
Thus in the first interview between the inhabitants of the new and 
old worlds, every thing was conducted amicably and to their mu- 
tual satisfaction. 

Columbus now assumed the title and authority of admiral and 
viceroy, and called the island he had discovered San Salvador. It 
is one of that large cluster of islands called the Lucaya or Bahama 
isles. It is situated above 3000 miles to the west of Gom.era from 
whence the squadron took its departure, and only four degrees to 
the south of it. 

It soon appeared evident to Columbus that this was but a poor 
place, and consequently not the object of his pursuit. But, con- 
formably to this theory concerning the discovery of those regions 
of Asia, which stretched towards the east, he conwludetf that San 
Salva&or was one of the isles, which geographers described as sit- 
uated in the vast ocean adjacent to India ; but he was herein mis^ 
taken. Having observed, that most of the people whom he had 
seen wore small plates of gold, by way of ornament, in their nostrils, 
he eagerly enquired where they got that precious metal. They 
pointed towards the south, and made him comprehend by signs, 
that gold abounded in countries situated in that quarter. 

In consequence of this intelligence, he sailed to the southwar<^ 
and saw several Islands. He touched at those of the largest, on 
which he bestowed the names of St. Mary, Femandina, and Isabel- 
la ; but, as his inquiries were after gold, and none of them pro- 
duced any, he made no stay in any of them. He afterwards dis- 
covered Cuba, and soon after fell in with Kispaniola. 

Columbus, still intent on discovering the mines which yielded 
jjold, sailed from hencfe on the 24th of December, 1492. The- 
great variety of business in which he was engaged having prevent-^ 
ed Columbus from taking any sleep for two days, he retired at 
oiidnight to take some repose, having committed the hel^m to the- 



SOUTH AMERICA; liSa 

pilot, with strict injunction not to quit it for a momenL The pilot 
dreading- no danger, carelessly left the helm to an unexperienced- 
cabin-boy, and the ship, carried away by a current, was dashed 
against a rock. The violence of the shock awaked Colum- 
bus. He ran up to the deck, where all was confusion and despair, 
he alone retaining presence of mind. However all his endeavours, 
were in vain ; the vessel opened near the keel, and filled so fast 
with water, that its loss was inevitable. The boats from the Nign*^ 
saved the crew, and the natives in their canoes did every thing in. 
their power to serve them, by, whose assistance they saved almost 
every thing that was valuable. 

The distress of Columbus was at this time very greati The^ 
Pinta had sailed away from him, and he suspected was treachi 
erously gone to Europe. There remained but one vessel, and that 
the smallest and most crazy of the squadron, to traverse such a 
vast ocean, and carry so many men back to Europe. He resolved- 
therefore to leave a part of his crew on the island, that, by residing, 
there, they might Ipam the language of the natives, study their 
dispositions, search for mines, and prepare for the commodiouftf 
settliement of the colony, wUh which he proposed to return. Hay- 
ing settled this business with his men and the natives, he built a 
fort and placed in it the guns saved out of his own ship. He ap- 
pointed tliirty-eight of his people to rjemain on the island, under 
the command of Diego de Arada, and furnished them with every 
thing requisite for the subsistence or defence of the infant colony. 

Having thus settled matters, he left Navidad on the 4th. of Jan- 
uary, 1493, and stretching towards' the east, discovered and gave 
names to most of the harbours on the northern coast of the Island, 
On the 6th he descried the Pinta, and soon came up with her 
after an absence of six weeks. Pinzon endeavoured to justify his- 
conduct, and though Columbus^was by no means satisfied in his. 
own mind, yet he thought it prudent to dissemble at present, and 
accordingly received him again int» favour. Pinzon during his 
absence from the admiral, had visited several harbours in the isl- 
ands, had acquired some gold by traffic with the natives,, but had 
made no discovery of any importance. 

Columbus now found it necessary, from the condition of his^ 
ships, and the temper of his men, to return to Europe. Accord- 
ingly, on the I6th of January, he directed his course towards the 
northeast, and soon lost sight of land. The voyage was prosper- 
ous to the l54th of February, when he was^^ overtaken by so 
yiolent a storm, that allhopes of surviving it were given up. At 
length Providence interposed to save a life reserved for other pur- 
poses ; and, after experiencing a second storm almost as dreadful 
as the first, he arrived at the Azores, then Lisbon, and reached, 
Spain on the 15th of March, in the port of Palbs, seven months 
and eleven days from the time when he set out from thence upon; 
his voyage 

Columbus was received, on his landing, with all'the honours diie 
to bis great abilities j and Ferdinand and Isabeilsi were no k&& 



164 THE HISTORY OF 

astonished than delighted with this unexpected event. Every 
mark of honour, that gratitude or admiration could suggest, was 
conferred upon Columbus. Letters patent were issued, confirm- 
ing to him and his heirs all the privileges contained in the capitu- 
lation concluded at Santa Fe ; his family was ennobled, and the 
king, queen, and courtiers, treated him as a person of the highest 
rank. But what pleased him most was an order to equip, without 
delay, art armament of such force, as might enable him not only 
to take possession of the countries he had already discovered, but 
to go in search of those more opulent regions, which he still con- 
fidently expected to find. 

Cautious as Ferdinand was, and averse to every tiling new and 
adventurous, preparations for a second expedition were carried on 
with a rapidity unusual in Spain, and to an extent that would be 
deemed not inconsiderable in the present age. The fleet consist- 
ed of seventeen ships, some of which were of good burthen. It 
had on board fifteen hundred persons, among whom were many of 
noble families, who had served in honourable s-tations. 

Every thing being ready, Columbus set sail from the bay of 
Cadiz on the 25th day of September, 1493, and arrived at Hispan- 
iola on the 22d of November. When he appeared off Navidad, 
from the station in which he had left the thirty eight men under 
the command of Arada, he was astonished that none of them ap- 
peared, and expected every moment to see them running with 
transports of joy to welcome their countrymen. But he §con found, 
that the imprudent and licentious behaviour of his men had roused 
the resentment of the natives, who at last destroyed them all and 
burned their fort. 

He then traced out the plan of a town in a large plain, near a 
spacious bay, and obliged every person to put his hand to a work 
on which their common safety depended. This rising city, th©^ 
first that tlie Europeans founded in the New World, he named 
Isabella, in honour of his patroness the queen of Castile. 

His followers loudly complained of being obliged to turn build- 
ers, where they expected to meet with riches and luxuries. He 
therefore found it necessary to proceed in quest of these golden 
shadows. Having settled every thing respecting the government 
of" the new colony in his absence, he weighed anchor on the 24th 
of April, 1494, with one ship and two small barks under his com- 
mand. During a tedious voyage of full five months, he had a 
trial of almost all the numerous hardships, to which persons of 
his profession are exposed, without making any discovery of im- 
portance, except the island of Jamaica. 

On his return to Hispaniola, he met with his brother Bartholo- 
mew at Isabella, after an absence of near thirteen years, which, 
gave him inexpressible joy. He could not have arrived more sea- 
sonably, as the Spanirrds were not only threatened with famine, but 
even with an insurrection of the natives owing to the shameful 
liberties the new settlers took with the women and property of the 
Indians, who united their forces to drive these formidable invaders 



SOUTH AMERICA, 165 

from the settlements, of which they had violently taken posses- 
sion. 

On the twenty-fourth of March, Columbus took' the field with 
his little army, which consisted only of two hundred foot, twenty 
horse, and twenty large dogs ; and how strange soever it may seem 
to mention the last as composing part of a military force, they 
were not perhaps the least formidable and destructive of the 
whole, when employed against naked and tim-id Indians. If 
we nnay believe the Spanish historians, the Indian array amounted 
to 100,000 men : but they were ignorant of the arts of v/ar, and 
had nothing but clubs and arrows for tlieir defence, Columbus 
attacked them during" the night, and obtained an .easy and bloody 
victory. Many were killed, more taken prisoners, and reduced 
to servitude ; and so thoroughly were the rest intimidated, that 
they abandoned themselves to despair, considering their enemies 
as invincible. 

Cv>lurnbus employed several months in marching- through the 
island, tind in subjecting it to the Spanish government, v/ithout 
meeting- with any opposition. He imposed a tribute upon all the 
inhabitants above fourteen years of age. Each person who lived 
in those districts where gold was found, was obHged to pay quar- 
terly as much gold dust as filled a hawk's bell ; from those ia 
other parts of the country, twenty pounds of cotton were demand- 
ed. This was the first regular taxation of the Indians, and served 
as a precedent for exactions, still more exorbitant. Such an im- 
position was extremely contrary to those maxims which Columbus 
had hitherto inculcated, with respect to the mode of treating 
them. 

The condition of the Indians became insupportable, and they 
endeavoured to starve the Spaniards, by destroying all the pro- 
duce of the earth, and tlien retired to the mountains. This re- 
duced the Spaniards to extreme want ; but they received such, 
seasonable supplies of provisions from Kurope, and fomid so many 
resources in their ingenuity and industry, that they suffered na 
great loss of men. 

Columbus finding he had many enemies in the court of Spain, 
resolved to return home in order to justify himself, leaving his 
brotlier Bartiiolomew as lieutenant, governor, and Francis Roldon 
chief justice. He was received at court, on his arrival, with so 
many marks of approbation, after having perfectly cleared up his 
conduct, as mad^ his enemies ashamed of themselves, and it was 
resolved to send him on discoveries a third time. 

After innumerable disappointments and delays, he sailed on his 
third voyage on the 30th day of May, 1498, His sqaaclron con- 
sisted of six ships only, of no great burden, and but iudiil'erently 
provided for so long and dangerous a navigation. 

He sailed in a difierent direction to what he had hitherto done, 
in order to fall in with the coast of India. On the 1st of August, 
the man stationed in the round top stirprized them Vkith the joyful 
cry of iajid. They stood towards it and discovered a considerable 



me THE HISTOKY OF 

island, which the admiral called Trinidad, a name it still retains;- 
He did not arrive at Hispaniola till the 30th of August, when he 
found the affairs of the colony in such a situation as afforded him 
no prospect of enjoying that repose, 9f which he stood so much in- 
need. 

Many revolutions had happened in that couhtry during his ab- 
sence. His brother, the deputy governor, in consequence of the 
advice the admiral gave him before hiy departure, had removed 
the colony from Isabella to a more commodious station, on the 6p- 
posite side of the island, and laid the foundation of St. Doiiiingo. 
The natives were soon after reduced to the Spanish yoke, which 
appeared so oppressive to them, that they rose in their own de- 
fence, but were easily conquered!. At the same time, Roldon, 
whom Columbus had placed in a station, which required him to 
be the guardian of order and tranquillity, persuaded the colony tO'' 
rise in arms; 

Such was the distracted state of tlie colony when C-blumbus ar- 
rived at St. Domingo,but his wi&dom and moderation soon brought 
every thing to order. 

While Columbus was thus engaged in the west, the spirit of 
discovery did not languish in Portugal. Emanuel, who inherited 
the enterprising g-enius of his predecessors, persisted in their 
grand scheme of opening a passage to the East Indies by the Gape 
of Good Hbpe, and s%on after his accession to the throne he equip- 
ped a squadron for that important voyage. He gave the command 
of it to Vasco de Gama, a man of noble birth, possessed of virtue,. 
prudence, and courage, equal to the station. The squadron, like 
all those fitted out for discovery in the infancy of navigation, was- 
extremely feeble, consisting only of three vessels, of neither bur»- 
then nor force adequate to the service. 

He set sail from Lisbon on the 9th of July, 1497, and standing 
towards the South, had to struggle for four months^ with contrary 
winds, before he could reach the Cape of Good Hope : Here their 
violence began to abate, and during an interval of calm weather,, 
in the latter end of November, Gama doubled that formidable 
promontory, which had so long been the bovnidary of navigation, 
and directed his course towards the northeast, along the African' 
coast. He touched at several ports, and afler various adventures- 
he came to an anchor before tlie city of Meleida. Gama now 
pursued his voyage with' almost absolute certainty of success, and 
under the conduct of a Mahometan pilot he axTived at Calecuty* 
upon the coast of Malabar, on the 22d of May, 1498. 

What he beheld of the wealth, the populousnessjthe cultivation,- 
the industry, and arts of this highly civilized country, far exceed* 
ed any idea that he had formed from the imperfect accounts which 
the Europeans had hitherto received of it But as he possessed 
neither sufficient force to attempt a settlement, nor proper com- 
modities with which he could carry on commerce of any conse- 
quence, he hastened back to Portugal, with an account of his suc- 
cess in performing a voyage the longest, as well as the most difE- 



SOlTTH AMERICA. Ut 

cult, that had ever been made since the first invention of naviga- 
tion. He landed at Lisbon on the 14th of September, .1499j, 
two years, two months, and five days from the time he left t!i^ 
port. 

Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine gentlemen, having accom- 
panied Ojeda in a voyage to the New World, on his return trans- 
mitted an account of his adventures and discoveries to one of 
his countrymen, and labouring with the vanity of a traveller to 
magnify his own exploits, he had the address and (Confidence to 
frame his narrative, so as to make it appear, that he had the glory 
of having first discovered the continent in the New World. The 
country, of which Amerigo was supposed to be discoverer, came 
gradually to be called by his name= By the universal consent of 
nations, Arni^rica is the name bestowed on this new quarter of the 
globe. The bold pretensions of a fortunate imposter have robbed 
the discoverer of the New World of a distinction which belonged 
to him. The name of Amerigo lias supplanted that of Columbus^ 
and it is now too late to redress the injury. 

During the last year of the faurteenth century, Pedro Alvarez 
Cabral was fitted out by the king of Portugal in order to carry on 
trade or attempt conquests in India, to which place Gama had just 
shewn them the way. Jn order to avoid the coast of Africa, where 
he was .certain of meeting with varihle breezes, or frequent calms, 
which might retard his voyage, Cabral stood out to sea, and kept 
so far to the west, that, to his surprize, he found himself upon the 
shore of an unknown country, in the tenth degree beyond the line. 
The country with which he fell in belongs to that province in 
South America, now known by the name of Brazil He landed, an^d 
having formed a yery iiigh idea of the fertility of the soil, and 
agreeableness of the climate, he took possession of it for the crown 
of Portugal, and dispatched a ship to Lisbon with an account of 
this event, which appeared to b^e no less important than it was un- 
exi>ected. 

While the Spaniards and Portuguese were daily acquiring more 
enlarged ideas of the extent and opulence of that quarter of the 
globe which Columbus had made known to them, he himself, far 
from enjoying the tranquillity and honours, with which his services 
should have been recompensed, was struggling with every distress, 
in which the envy and malevolence of the people under his com- 
mand, or the ingratitude of the court which he served could in- 
volve him. 

As soon as the court of Spain beca;me prejudiced against Co* 
lumbus, a fatal resolution was taken. Francis do BovadJUa, a 
knight of Claatrava, was appointed to repair to Hispaniola, with 
full powers to inquire into the coiuluct of Columbus ; and, if he 
should find the charge of maladministration proved, to supercede 
iiim, and assume the government of the island. It was impossible 
to escape when this preposterous commission, made it the inter- 
est of the judge to pronounce the person, whom he was sent t® 
',try, guilty of every charge. What followed cannot at all appes?^^ 



168 THE HISTORY OF 

surprizln,^ ; Columbus was sent to Spain loaded with chains. For- 
tiuiately> his voyage to Spain was extremely short, where he ar- 
rived on the 23d of November, 1500. 

As soon as Ferdinand and Isabella, were informed that Columbus 
was brought home a prisoner, and in chains the} were ashamed of 
their conduct and dreaded the censure of all Europe. They in- 
stantly issued orders to set Columbus at liberty, invited him to court, 
and remiited him money to enable him to appear there in a manner 
suitable to his rank. On his appearance at court, the modest man- 
ner in which he told his tale, and related his grievances, vvere felt 
bv every one, the nevv' governor of Hispanola was recalled, and 
Ovando was sent in Ids room. 

W^hile the necessarj'- steps were taking for securing the pros- 
perit} and welfare of the colony which Columbus had planted, he 
himself was engaged in the unpleasant employment of soliciting 
the favour of an ungrateful court, and notwithstanding all his merit 
and services he s »licited in vain. After attending the court of 
Spain for near two years, as an humble suitor, lie found it impossi- 
ble to remove Ferdinand's prejudices and apprehensions, and per- 
ceived at length, that ht laboured in vain, v/hen he urged a claim 
of justice or merit with an interested, ungenerous, and unfeeling 
prinCe. 

However, Columbus, at last, prevailed on the court of Spain to 
fit him out on his fourth expedition, which they were persuaded to 
embark in, on the promised hope of his hading out a shorter and 
safer rout to the East Indies., He accordingly sailed fi'om Cadiz, 
on the 9th of May, 1502, with only four small barks, the largest of 
which did not exceed seventy tons in burtljen. On his arrival at 
Hispn iiola, he meet with the most ungenerous treatment from 
Ovaiulo, who would not suffer him to enter their harbours. 

After various and fraitless attempts to discover a passage to the 
Indian ocean, Columbus meet witii all the disastert to which navir 
gation is exposed Furious hurricanes, with violent storms of thun- 
der and lightening, flue: ttned his destruction, and at lastdrove 
him on the coast of Jamaica, where his little crazy fleet was wreck- 
ed, on the 24th ot June, 1503. 

The distress of Columbus in this situation was truly lamentable,"^ 
but his genius rose above every thing. He supported the insolence 
and cruelty of the ia rabitants. the still more alarming mutiny of his 
men, and the infamous conduct of the governor of Hispaniola, till 
some ships appeared, when the Spaniards quited an island in 
wliich the unfeeling jealousy of Ovando had suffered them to lan- 
guish above a year. 

On the 12th uf September, 1504, he set sail for Spain with two 
ships, and his ill fortune pursued him even in his passage home, 
being overtaken by a storm, and u ith the greatest difficulty got 
back to Spain, On his arrival, he received the fatal news of the 
death of his patroness Queen Isabella, 

Columbus digusted with the ingratitude of a monarch, whom he 
had served with such fidelity aad success, exhausted with the fa- 



f 



SOUTH AMERICA. 160 



tigues and hardships he had endured, ai^d broken with the infirmi- 
ties these broug-ht upon him, ended his life at Validolid, on the 
20th of May, 1506, in the 59th year of his age. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDED IN THIS CHAPTER. 

1492 Colmnbus sets out on his first voyage. 
Discovers the island of Cuba and Hispaniola. 

1493 Colwmbus sets out on hzs second voyage, 

1494 Discovers the island of yamaica» 

1498 Third voyage of Columbus^ he discovers the continent of 
America, 

1499 The Portuguese sail to the East Indies, by the 'way of the 
Cape of Good Hope. 

On vihat account the name of America was given to the 
Nei\> World. 
15G0 Columbus sent in chains to Spain. 

1502 He ^'ets out on his fourth voyage. 

Searches in vain for a passage to the East Indies. 

1503 Shipwrecked on the island of Jamaica. 
1506 Death of Colwmbus. 



CHAP. Ill, 



■»■ HE colony of Hispaniola, before the death of Columbus, had 
gradually acquired the form of a regular and prosperous state. The 
humane solicitude of Isabella to protect the Indians from oppression, 
and particularly the proclamation, by which the Spaniards were 
prohibited to compel them to work, for some time, it is true, retard- 
ed the progre&s of improvement. The natives considering every 
exemption from toil as a supreme felicity, despised every allure- 
ment and reward by which they were invited to labour. The Span- 

j^ iards were not numerous enough, either to work the mines or 
cultivate the soil, the distempers peculiar to the climate having 
carried off great numbers. 

In order to save the colony from niin, Ovando ventui'ed to relax 
the rigour of some royal edicts that had been sent to him He 
made a new distribution of the Indians among the Spaniards, and 
compelled them to labour for a stated time, in digging the mines, 
or in cultivating the grounds ; but in order to screen himself from 
the imputation of having subjected them again to servitude, he en- 
joined their masters to pay them a certain sum, as the price of their 
work. But the indians, after enjoying respite from oppressiorij 

i though during a short interval, now found the yoke of bondage to 
be so g-alling, that they made several attempts to vindicate their 
own liberty. However they were subdued as often a.s they rose, 
and the treatment they received from Ovando was both cruel and 

pi treacherous. 



170 THE HISTORY OF 

The attention of the Spaniards was so imich engrossed by their 
operations in the mines of Hispaniola, that the spirit of discovery 
languished for some time. In 1508 Juan Ponce de Leon, who 
commanded under Ovand^, in the eastern district of Hispaniola, 
passed over to the island of St. Juan de Puerto Rico, which Colum- 
bus had discovered in his second voyage, and penetrated into the 
interior parts of the country. As he found the soil to be fertile, 
and expected, from symptoms, as well as from the information of 
the inhabitants, to discover mines of gold in the mountains, Ovan- 
do permitted him to attempt making a settlement in the island. In 
a few years, Puerto Rico was subjected to the Spanish government, 
the natives were reduced to servitude, and being treated with the 
same inconsiderate rigor as their neighbours in Hispaniola, the 
race of original inhabitants worn out -with fatigue and sufferings, 
was soon exterminated. 

Sebastian de Ocampo, by the command of Ovando, sailed round 
Cuba, and first discovered, with certainty, that this country which 
Columbus once supposed to be a part of the continent was only a 
large island. 

This voyage round Cuba was one of the last occurrences under 
the administration of Ovando. Ever since the death of Columbus, 
his son Don Diego had been employed in soliciting Ferdinand to 
grant him the offices of Viceroy and Admiral in the New World, 
together with all the other immunities and profits which descended 
to him by inheritance, in consequence of the original capitulation 
with his father. But if these dignities and revenues appeared so 
considerable to Ferdinand, that, at the expense of being deemed 
unjust, as well as ungrateful, he had wrested them from Columbus, 
it is not surprizing that he should be unwilling to confer them on 
his son, According-ly Don Diego wasted two years in incessant 
but fruitless importunity. Weary of this, he endeavoured at length 
to obtain, by a legal sentence, what he could not procure from the 
favour of an interested monarch. He commenced a suit against 
Ferdinand before the council w hich managed indian affairs, and 
that court with an integrity which reflects honour upon its proceed- 
ings, decided against the king, and confirmed all the privileges 
stipulated in the capitulation, Ferdinand still shewed liis repug- 
nance to do Diego justice, nor would ht at last have done anything 
had he not been in a manner forced to it by a powerful party, raised 
in consequence of the mrirriage of Don Diego with Donna Maria, 
daughter of Don Ferdinand, great commendator of Leon, and bro- 
ther of the Duke of Alva, a nobleman of the first rank and nearly 
related to the king-. The duke and his family es])oused so warmly 
the cause of their new ally, that Ferdinand could not resist their 
solicitations. 

In iSOQj he recalled Ovando, and appointed Don Diegc h'lk suc- 
cessor, thoug-h even in conferring this favour he could not conceal 
his jealousy ; for he allowed him to assume only the title of govern-^ 
or and not that of vicerov. 



SOUTH AMERICA. IH 

Don Diego immediately set off for Hispaniola, attended by his 
brother, his uncle, his wife, whom the courtesy of the Spaniards 
honoured with the title of Vice-queen, and a numerous retinue of 
both sexes, born of good families. He lived with a splendor and 
magnificence hitherto unknown in the ne^v world,, and the family of 
Columbus seemed now to enjoy the honours and rewards due to his 
inventive genius of which he himself had been cruelly defrauded. 
The colony itself acquired new lustre by the accession of so many 
inhabitants of a different rank and character from most of those 
who had hitherto emigrated to America, and many of the most 
illustrious families in the Spanish settlements are descended from 
the persons who at that time accompanied Don Diego Columbus. 

Juan Diaz de Solis, about this time set out in conjunction with 
Pinzon, upon new discoveries. They sailed due south, towards the 
equinoctial line, which Pinzon had formerly crossed, and advanced 
as far as the 40th degree of southern latitude. They were astonish- 
ed to find that the continent of America stretched on the right 
hand, through all this vast extent of ocean. They landed in differ- 
ent places, to take possession in the name of their sovereign ; but 
though the country appeared to be extremely fertile and inviting, 
their force was so small, having been fitted out rather for discovery 
than making settlements, that they left no colony behind them. 
Their voyage however, served to give the Spaniards more exalted 
and adequate ideas, with respect to the dimensions of the new- 
world. 

Private adventurers attempted to make settlements on the new 
continent ; but the loss of their ships by various accidents upon un- 
known coasts, the diseases peculiar to a climate the most noxious 
in all America, the want of provisions, unavoidable in a country 
impei'fectly cultivated, dissentions among themselves, and the in- 
cessant hostilities of the natives, involved them in a succession of 
calamities, the bare recital of which would strike my readers with, 
horror. 

Notwithstanding the unfortunate issue of this expedition, the 
Spaniards were not deterred from engaging in new schemes of a 
similar nature. Juan Ponce de I.eon, in 1512, fitted out three 
ships at his own expense, for a voyage of discovery, and his repu- 
tation soon drew together a respectable body of followers. He di- 
rected his course towards the Lucayo islands ; and, after touching 
at several of them, as well as of the Bahama isles, he stood to the 
South-west, and discovered a country hitherto unknown to the 
Spaniards, which he called Florida, either because he fell in with 
it on Palm Sunday, or on account of its gay and beautiful appear- 
ance. He attempted to land in different places, but met with such 
vigorous opposition from the natives, who were fierce and warUke, 
as convinced him, than an increase of force was requisite to effect 
a settlement. Satisfied with having opened a communication with 
a new country, of whose value_ and importance he c6^cieved very 
sanguine hopes, he returned to Puerto Rico, through the channel 
ROW known by the name of the Gulf of Florida. 



172 THE HISTORY OF 

Soon aftep the expedition to Florida, a discovery of much greater 
importance was made in another part of America, Balboa, having 
been raised to the government of the small colony at Santa Maria 
In Darien, made frequent inroads into the adjacent country, and col- 
lected a considerable quantity of gold, which abounded more in 
ihat part of the continent than in the islands. In one of these ex- 
-'•ursions, the Spaniards contended with such eagerness about the 
division of some gold, that they were at the point of proceeding to 
acts of viofence against one another. A young Indian prince, who 
«vas presentj astonished at the high value they set upon a thing, of 
which he did not discern the use, tumbled the gold out of the bal- 
ance with indignation, and, turning to the Spaniards, '*^Why do 
you quarrel," (said he) "about such a trifle ? If you are so pas- 
sionately fond of gold, as to abandon your own country, and to dis- 
turb the tranquillity of distant nations for its sake, I will conduct 
you to a region, where this metal, which seems to be the chief ob- 
ject of your admiration and desire, is so common, that the meanest 
iitensiis are formed of it." 

Balboa and his companions, transported with what they heard, 
eagerly enquired where this happy country lay, and how they might 
arrive at it. He informed them, at the distance of six suns, that 
is, of six days journey towards the South, they should discover 
another ocean, near to which this wealthy kingdom was situated ; 
but, ifthey intended to attack that powerful state, they must assem- 
ble forces far superior in number and strength to what they were at 
present. This was the firit information which the Spaniards re- 
ceived concerning the southern ocean, or the opulent and extensive 
country known afterwards by the name of Peru. 

Balboa, having mustered all the forces he could, \^hlch amount- 
ed only to 190 m'en, set out on this important expedition on the first 
of September, 1513, about the time the periodical rahis began to 
abate. Though their guides had represented the breadth of the 
isthmus to be only a journey of six days, they had already spent 
twenty five in forcing their way through the woods and mountains. 
Many'of them were ready to sink under such fatigue in that sultry 
climate, several were seized with the diseases peculiar to the 
country, and all become impatient to reach the period of their la- 
bors and sufferings At length the Indians assured them, that from 
the top of the next mouutain they should discover the ocean which 
was the object of their wishes. When with infinite toil they had 
climbed up the greater part of that steep ascent, Balboa command- 
ed his men to halt and advanced alone to the summit, that he might 
be the first who should enjoy such a spectacle which he had so 
long desired. As soon as he beheld the South Sea stretching in 
endless prospect below him, he fell on his knees, and lifting up his 
hands to heaven, returned thanks to God, who had conducted him 
to a discovery, so beneficial to his country, and so honourable to him- 
self His followers, observing his transports of joy, rushed forward 
to join his wonder, exultation and gratitude. They held on their 
course to the shore, with great alacrity, when Balboa advancing up 



SOUTH AMERICA. ir^ 

to the middle in the waves, with his biickler and sword, took pos- 
session of that ocean in the name of the king- his master, and vowed 
to defend it. 

That part of the great Pacific or Southern ocean, which Balboa 
first discovered, still retains the name of the Gulf of St. Michael, 
which he g-ave to it, and is situated to the east of Panama. From 
several of the petty princes, who governed in the districts adjacent 
to that gulf, he extorted provisions and gold by force of arms j 
others sent them to him voluntarily. Together with the acquisi- 
tion of this wealth, which served to soothe and encourage his fol» 
lowers, he received account which confirmed his sanguine hopes of 
future 4nd more extensive benefits from this expedition. All the 
people on the coasts of the South Sea concurred in informing him, 
that there was a mighty and opulent kingdom situated at a con- 
siderable distance towards the south-east, where gold was found in 
plenty. 

Though the information Balboa received from the people, on the 
eoast, as well as his own conjectures and hopes, made him ex» 
tremely impatient to visit this unknown country, his prudence re- 
strained him from attempting to invade it with a handful of men, ex- 
hausted by fatigue, and weakened by diseases. He determined to 
lead back his followers to their settlement at Santa Maria in Darien, 
and to return next season with a force more adequate to such an 
arduous enterprize. He reached Santa Maria after an absence of 
four months, with greater glory and more treasure, than the 
Spaniards ever had acquired in any former expedition in the Nev^ 
World. 

He took care to acquaint the court of Spain with the important 
discovery he had made and demanded a reinforcement of a thou- 
sand men, in order to attempt the conquest of that opulent country, 
concerning which he had received such inviting intelligence. 

The meannesses and jealousies of Ferdinand, and the advice of 
men around him worse than himself, induced him to supercede 
Balboa, the most proper man he could have employed, and to ap- 
point Pedrarias Davila g-overnor of Darien. He gave him the 
command of fourteen stout vessels, and twelve hundred soldiers. 
These were fitted out at the public expense, and granted with a, 
liberality unusual to Ferdinand. 

Pedrarias reached the gulf at Darien without any remarkable 
accident, in July, 1514 ; but his ill conduct and base treatment of 
Balboa, stopped all operations, and nearly ruined this flourishing 
colony. Both parties sent home complaints to Spain against each 
other; 

At length, Ferdinand became sensible of his imprudence in su* 
perceding the most active and experienced officer he had in the 
New World, and, by way of compensation to Balboa, he appointed 
him lieutenant governor of the countries upon the South Sea, wii' 
very extensive priviieg*es and authority, at the same time ordering 
Pedrarias to support him in all his operations, and to consult him 
on every measure which he himself pursued. Surely nothing could 
P 2 



lU THE HISTORY OF 

be more ridiculous and absurd in Ferdinand than this conduct ! 
Pedrarias now conceived the most implacable hatred to Balboa, 
and, though he afterwards seemed so far reconciled to him, as to 
give him his daughter in marriage, he soon found means falsely to 
accuse him of high treason, had him tried, condemned, and pub- 
lickly executed in 1517. Pedrarias, notwithstanding the violence 
and injustice ef his proceedings, was not only screened from pun- 
ishment by the powerful patronage of the infamous bishop of Bur- 
gos, an inveterate enemy to real merit, but continued in the g;ov- 
ernment. 

While matters were thus going forward in Darien, several im* 
portant events occurred with respect to the discovery, the con- 
quest, and government of other provinces in the New Worlds 
Ferdinand was so intent upon opening a communication with the 
Molucca or Spice Islands by the west, that, in the year 1515, he 
fitted out two ships at his own expense, in order to attempt such 
a voyage, and gave the command of them to Juan Diaz de Solis, 
who was deemed one of the most skilful navigators in Spain. He 
stood along the coast of South America, and on the first of Janu- 
ary, 1516, he entered a river which he called Janeiro, where an 
extensive commerce is now carried on. From thence he proceed^ 
ed to a spacious bay which he supposed to be the entrance into a 
strait that communicated with the Indian ocean ; but upon advanC" 
ing farther, he found it to be the mouth of the Rio de Plata, one 
of the vast rivers by which the southern continent of America is 
watered. In endeavouring to make a descent in this country, De 
Solis and several of his crew were slain by the natives ; who, in 
sight of the ships, cut their bodies in pieces, roasted and devoured 
them. Discouraged by the loss of theif commander and terrified 
at this horrid spectacle, the surviving Spaniards set sail for Eu- 
rope, without aiming at any further discovery. Though this at- 
tempt proved abortive it was not without benefit t^ it turned the 
attention of ingenious men to this course of navigation, and pre- 
pared the way for a more fortunate voyage. 

While discoveries were thus going forward, Hispaniola continu- 
ed as their principal colony, and the seat of government. Don 
Diego Columbus wanted neither inclination or abilities to huve 
rendered the members of this colony, who were most immediately 
under his direction, prosperous and happy ; but he was circum- 
scribed in all his operations by the suspicious policy of Ferdinands, 
who on every occasion, and under the most frivolous pretexts, re- 
trenched his privileges, and encouraged the treasurer, the judges, 
and other subordinate officers, to counteract his measures, and to 
dispute his authority. In short, Ferdinand's conduct was so un- 
generous, as obliged Don Diego to quit Hispaniola, and repair to 
Spain, in order to seek redress for his injuries. 

On the death of Ferdinand, in 1517, Charles V. took possession 
of the government. Diego Velasquez, who conquered Cuba in 
the year 1511, still retained the government of that island, as the 
deputy of Don Diego Columbus,, though he seldom acknowledged! 



SOUTH AMERICA. , 17^ 

Lis superior, and aimed at rendering his own authority altogether 
independent. Under his prudent administration, Cuba became one 
of the most flourishing of the Spanish settlements. The fame of 
this drew many persons from the other colonies, expecting there 
to find some permanent establishment, or some employment 
for their activity. As Cuba lay to the west of all the islands pos- 
sessed by the Spaniards, and as the ocean which stretches be- 
yond it towards that quarter, had not hitherto been explored, these 
circumstances naturally invited the inhabitants to attempt new- 
discoveries. 

An expedition for this purpose in which activity and resolution 
might conduct to sudden wealth, was more suited to the genius 
of the age, than the patient industry requisite in clearing ground, 
and manufacturing sugar Hence it happened, that several offi- 
cers who had served under Pedrarias in Darien, entered into an 
association to undertake a voyage of discovery. They persuaded 
Francisco Hernandez Cordova, an opulent planter in Cuba, and a 
man of great courage, to join with them in the adventure, and! 
chose him to be their commander. Velasquez not only approved 
of the design, but assisted in carrying it on. 

Three small vessels were purchased, and furnished with every 
thing requisite either for traffic or war. An hundred and ten men 
embarked on board them, and sailed from St, Jago de Cuba on the 
8th of February, 1517. 

On the twenty -first day after their departure from St. Jago, they 
saw land- which proved to be Cape Catoche, the eastern point of 
that large peninsula projecting from the continent of America, 
which still retains its original name of Yucatan. As they ap- 
proached the shore, five canoes came off full of people decently 
clad in cotton garments : an astonishing sight to the Spaniards, 
who had found every other part of America possessed by native 
savages. Cordova endeavoured by small presents to gain the good 
will of these people. They_v though amazed at the strange objects 
now presented for the first time to their view, invited the Spaniards 
to visit their habitations, with an appearance of cordiality. They 
landed accordingly, and as they advanced into the country, they 
observed with new wonder some large houses built with stone : but 
they soon found, if the Yucatans had made progress in improve- 
ment beyond their countrymen, they were likewise more artful 
and warlike. Though the Indian chief received Cordova with 
many tokens of friendship, he had posted a considerable body of 
his subjects in ambuah behind a thicket, who upon a signal given 
fey him, rushed out and attacked the Spaniards with great bold- 
ness, and with some degree of martial order. At the first flight 
of the arrows, fifteen of the Spaniards were wounded ; but the 
Indians were so terrified with the sudden explosion of the fire 
arms, and so surprised at the executiorT done by them, by the 
cross bows, and by the other weapons of their new enemies, that 
they precipitately fled. Cordova immediately quitted a country 
where he had met with sa unwelcome a reception,, carrying «-^~ 



176 THE HISTORY OF 

two prisoners, "With the ornaments of a small temple which he 
plundered in making' his retreat to his ships. 

Cordova continued his course towards the west without losing 
sight of the coast,^and on the sixteenth day arrived at Campeachy. 
At this place the natives received them more kindly ; but the 
Spaniards were much surprised, that on all the extensive coast 
along which they had sailed, they had not met with any river. 
Their Water beginning to fail, they advanced in hopes of finding 
a supply ; at length they discovered the mouth of a river. 

Cordova landed all his troops in order to protect his sailors, 
•whose business it was to fill the casks ; but the natives rushed 
upon them with such fury, and in such numbers that forty seven of 
the Spaniards were killed on the spot and one man only of the whole 
body escaped unhurt. Their commander though wounded in, 
twelve different places, directed the retreat with presence of mind 
equal to the courage with which, he had led them on in the en- 
gagement, and with much difficulty they reached their ships. 
Having met with this terrible repulse, nothing remained but to 
hasten back to Cuba with their shattered forces. In their passage 
thither, they suffered the greatest distress from the want of water, 
that men wounded and sickly, shuc up in small vessels, and exposed 
to the heat of the torrid zone, can be supposed to suffer. Some 
died on their passage and CordoVa their commander, soon after he 
landed at Cuba paid the debt of nature. 

Unfortunate as this expedition proved, it contributed rather to 
animate than damp a spirit of enterprize among the Spaniards. 
They had discovered an extensive country, situated in the neigh- 
bourhood of Cuba, fertile in appearance, and possessed by a people 
far more refined than any they had hitherto met with in America. 
Velasquez, through particular views of ambition and interest, not 
only encouraged their ardour, but at his own expense fitted out 
four ships for the voyage. Two hundred and forty volunteers, 
among whom were several persons of rank and fortune, embarked 
i» this enterprize. The command of it was given to Juan de Gri- 
jalva a young man of known merit and courage, with instructions 
attentively to observe the nature of the countries which he should 
discover ;' to barter for gold ; and, if circumstances were inviting, 
to settle a colony in some proper station. He sailed from St. Jago 
tie Cuba, on the 8th of April, 1518. 

They held the same course as in the former voyage, and at last 
reached Potonchan^ where the last adventurers had been so roughly 
handled. The desire of avenging their countrymen who had been 
slain there, coBCurred with their ideas of good policy, in promp- 
ting them to land, that they might chastise the Indians with such 
exemplary rigour, as would strike terror into all the people round 
them ; but, though they disembarked all their troops and carried 
ashore some field pieces, the Indians fought vflxh such courage, 
tkat the Spaniards with difficulty gained the victory : and were con- 
iirmed in their opinion, that the inhabitants of this country would 



SOUTH AMERICA, tW 

prove more formidable enemies than any they had met with in 
other parts o^ America, 

F rem Potdnchan, they continued their voyage tovt^ards the west 
keeping as near as possible to the shore, and casting anchor every 
evening, from the dread of the dangerous accidents to which they 
might be exposed in an unknown sea. During the day their eyes 
were turned continually towards land, with a mixture of surprise 
and wonder at the beauty of the country, as well as the novelty of 
the objects they beheld. Many villages were scattered along the 
coast, in which they could distinguish houses of stone that appear- 
ed white and lofty at a distance. One of the soldiers happening 
to remark, that this country resembled Spain in its appearance, 
Grijalva, with universal applause, called it New Spain, the name 
which still distinguishes this extensive and opulent province of 
Spanish empire in America, 

On the 9th of June, they landed in a river, which the natives cal- 
led Tabasco, and the fame of their victory at Potonchan having 
reached this place, the chief not only received them amicably, but 
bestowed presents upon them of such value, as confimed the high- 
est ideas, which the Spaniards had formed, with fespect to the 
wealth and fertility of the country. These ideas were raised still 
higher, by what occurred at the place where they next touched. 
This was considerably to the west of Tabasco, in the province since 
known by the name of Guaxaca. There they were received with 
the respect due to superior beings. The people perfumed them 
as they landed with gum copal, and presented to them as onenngs 
the choicest delicacies of their country. They were extremely 
fond of trading with their new visitants, and in six days the Span- 
iards obtained ornaments of gold, of curious workmanship, to the 
value of fifteen thousand pesos, in exchange for European toys of 
small price. The two prisoners, whom Gordai'o had brougiit from 
Yucatan, had hitherto served as interpreters : but as they were un- 
acquainted with the language of this country, the Spaniards learn- 
ed from the natives by signs, that they were the subjects of a great 
jmonarch, called Montezuma, whose dominions extended over thkt 
and many other provinces. 

Leaving this province, with which he had so much reason to be 
contented, Grijalva continued his course towards the west. He 
landed on a small island, which he named the isle of sacrifices, be- 
cause there the Spaniards beheld the horrid spectacle of human 
victims, which the barbarous superstitions of the natives oifered to 
their gods. He touched at another small island, which he called 
St. Juan de Ulua. 

From this place he dispatched Predode Alverado,_one of his of- 
ficers, to Velasquez, with a full account of the important discove- 
ries he had made, and with all the treasure that he had acquired 
by trafficking with the nativ^es. After the departure of Alverado, 
he himself, with the remaining vessels, proceeded along the coast 
as far as the river Panuco, the country still appearing to be well 
peopled, fertile and opulent. 



178 THE HISTORY OF 

It was the opinion of several of Grijalva's officers, that it was not 
enough to have discovered those delightful regions, or to have per- 
formed, at their different landing places, the empty ceremony of 
taking' possession of them for the crown of Castile, and that their 
glory was incomplete, unless they planted a colony in some proper 
station which might not only secure the Spanish nation a footing- in 
the country, but with the reinforcements they were certain of re- 
ceiving, -might gradually subject the whole to the dominion of their 
sovereign. However, the squadron had now been above six months 
at sea, the greater part of their provisions were exhausted, and what 
remained of their stores so much corrupted by the heat -.f the cli- 
mate, as to be almost unfit for use ; they had lost some men by 
death, and others were sickly ; the country was crouded with peo- 
ple, who seemed to be intelligent as well as brave, and they were 
under the government of one powerful monarch, who could bring 
them to act against their invaders with united force. To plant a 
colony under so many corresponding difficultiesj appeared a matter 
too liazardous to be attempted. Though Grijalva was not without 
ambition and courage, yet he was destitute of the superior abilities 
requisite to iorm and execute so extensive a plan. He judged it 
more prudent to return to Cuba, having fulfilled the purpose of his 
voyage, and accomplisiied every thing, which the armament he 
commanded enabled him to perform. He rerarned to St. Jago de 
Cuba, on the 26th of October, from whence he had sailed about six 
months, without having met with any material accident. 

A^this was the longest, so it had been the most successful voyage 
the Spaniards had hitherto made in the New World. They had 
discovered that Yucatan was not an island as they had supposed, 
but part of the great continent of America. From Potonchan they 
bad pursued their course for many hundred miles along a coast for- 
merly unexplored, stretching at first along the west and then.turn- 
ing to the north. All the country they discovered appeared to be 
no less valuable than extensive. As soon as Avarado reached Cu- 
ba, Velasquez, transported with success so far beyond his most 
sanguine expectations, immediately dispatched a person of confi- 
dence to carry this important intelligence to Spain ; to exhibit the 
rich productions of the countries which had been discovered by his 
means ; and to solicit such an increase of authority, as might ena« 
ble and encourage him to attempt the conquest of them. Without 
waiting for the return of his messenger, or for the arrival of Gri- 
jalva, of whom he was become so jealous or distrustful that he re- 
solved no longer to employ him, he began to prepare sucli a pow- 
erful armament, as might prove equal to an enterprise of so much 
danger and importance. The little and mean jealousies, which the 
Spaniards seem naturally to entertain of every man of merit, is a 
very singular blemish in the character of that nation. 

The expedition for which Velasquez was nov/ preparing with so 
much ardour and activity, had in its views conquests far beyond 
what the Spanish nation had hitherto accomplished. It led them 
to the knowledge of a people, who, if compared with those tribes, of 



SOUTH AMERICA. Ij-g 

South America, and the West Indies, with whom they were hither- 
to acquainted, were infinitely more civilized, and far better ac- 
quainted with the arts of war and the sciences in general. Before 
we proceed to the history of events extremely difl^'erent from those 
we have already related, it may not be improper to take a view of 
the state of the New Wortd, such as it was when first discovered, 
and to contemplate the politics and manners of the rude uncultiva- 
ted tribes, by whom the diflTerent parts of it were occupied, and 
with whom the Spaniards at this time had intercourse. This shall 
be the subject of our next chapter, 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDED IN THIS CHAPTER. 

1505 War ivith the American Indians. 
., 1508 Keiu discoveries and settlements. Diego Columbus appointed 
Xiovernor of Hispaniola. 

1510 Cuba conquered. 

1512 Florida discovered. 

1513 The South Sea discovered. Pedrarias appointed Governor of 
Darien. 

1517 Balboa executed by the order of the treacherous Pedrarias. Death 
of Ferdinand^ King of Spain : succeeded by Charles V Tucatan disco- 
vered. 

1518 Campeachy discovered. Grijaha discovers Neiv Spain, Tobal- 
SCO Guaxaca, and St. ^uan de XJlua. 



CHAP. IV. 



1 HE immense extent of the New World is a circumstance that 
strikes us xvith wonder. America is remarkable, not only for its 
magnitude, but for its position. It stretches from the northern po- 
lar circle to a high southern latitude, above fifteen hundred m^es 
beyond the furthest extremity of the old continent on that side of 
the line. Next to its extent, the grandeur of the objects which it 
presents to our view is most apt to strike the eye of an observer — 
Nature seems to have carried on her operations'upon a larger scale, 
with a bolder hand, and to have distinguished the features of this 
country by a peculiar magnificence. The mountains of America 
are much superior in height to those in the other divisions of the 
globe. Even the plain of Quito, which may be considered as the 
base ofthe Andes, is elevated farther above the sea, than the top of 
the Pyrenees. From those lofty mountains descend rivers proporti- 
onablylarge, with which the streams in the ancient continent w/e. not 
to be compared, either for length of course, orthe vast body of water 
which they roU towards the ocean Their lakes are no less cor spi- 
cuous for grandeur than their mountains and rivers. They mav be 
properly termed inland seas of fresh water. 



180 THE HISTORY OF 

The temperature of the climate of America and the different 
laws to which it is subject with respect to the distribution of heat 
and cold, are marks which particularly disting-uish it from other 
parts of the earth. Throughout all these vast regions, there were 
only two monarchies remarkable for extent of territory, or distin- 
guished by any progress in improvement. The rest of their conti- 
nent was possessed by sma'l independent tribes, destitute of arts 
and industry, and neither capable to correct the defects, nor desi- 
rous to meliorate the condition of that part of the earth allotted to 
them for their habitation. Countries occupied by such people, 
were almost in the same state as if they had been without inhabi- 
tants. 

Notwithstanding" the vast extent of America, and the variety of 
its climates, the different species of animals peculiar to it are much 
fewer in proportion, than those of the other hemisphere. In the 
islands, there are only four kinds of quadrupeds known, the largest 
of which did not exceed the size of a rabbit On the continent, 
the variety was greater ; and though the individuals of each kind 
could not fail of multiplying exceedingly, when almost unmolested 
by men, who were neither so numerous, nor 50 united in society, as 
to be formidable enemies to the animal creation, yet the number of 
distinct species must be considered as extremely small. 

To the causes, which checked the growth and vigor of the more 
noble animals, may be attributed the propagation and increase of 
reptiles and insects. The air is often darkened with clouds of in- 
sects, and the ground covered with shocking and noxious reptiles. 

The American birds of the torrid zone, like those of the same 
climate in Asia and Africa, are decked in plumage, which dazzles 
the eye with the beauty of its colours ; but nature, satisfied with 
cloathing them in this gay dress, has denied most of them that me- 
lody of sound, and variety of notes, which catch and delight the ear. 
Let my youthful readers stop here, and pause for a while ; through 
all the conditions and circumstances of life, they will find, on reflec- 
tion, that the hand of Providence has distributed things more equal- 
ly than they are aware of, as well in human, as in the feathered 
race. 

In a continent so extensive as America, the nature of the soil 
must be various. In each «^f its provinces, we find some- distin- 
guishing peculiarity, the description of which belongs to those who 
write their particular history, and would be an idle attempt to des- 
cribe in this epitome. 

How America was first peopled, by what course mankind migra- 
ted from one continent to the other, and in what quarter it is most 
probable the communication was first opened between them, are 
matters for which we have litth^ grounds to go upon beyond that of 
conjecture. The theories and speculations of ingenious men, with 
respect to this subject, would fill many volumes ; but they are often ' 
so wild and chimerical, that it would be offering an insult to the 
unders! anding of our readers, to attempt either to enumerate or re- 
fute tiliem, eveo provided the limits of thi« work would admit of if 



SOUTH AMERICA. 181 

To enquire Into the character and condition of the American na- 
tions, at the tinie when they became known to the Europeans, de- 
serves more attentive consideration, than the enquiry concerning 
their original. The discovery of the New World enlarged the 
sphere of contemplation, and presented nations to our view in a 
state very rude and uncultivated. The greater part of the inhabi" 
tants were strangers to industry and labour, ignorant of arts, imper- 
fectly acquainted with the nature of property, and enjoying almost 
without restriction or controul the blessings which flowed sponta- 
neously from the bounty of nature. Among the small independent 
tribes of South America, their customs, manners and institutions, 
were nearly similar, and so extremely rude, that the denomination 
o£ savages may be applied to them all. The Spaniards who first vi- 
sited America, and who had opportunity of beholding its various 
tribes, while entire and unsubdued, were far from possessing the 
qualities requisite for observing the striking spectacle presented to 
their view. Neither the age in which they lived, nor the nation to 
which they belonged, had made such progress in true science, as 
inspires enlarged and liberal sentiments. The conquerors of the 
New World were mostly illiterate adventurers, destitute of all the 
ideas which should have directed them in contemplating objects, so 
extremely different from those with which they were acquainted. 
Surrounded continually jvith danger, or struggling with hardships, 
they had little Leisure, and less capaci(ty, for any speculative enqui- 
ry. Eager to take possession of a country of such extent and opu- 
lence, and happy in finding it occupied by inhabitants so incapable 
to defend it, they hastily pronounced them to be a wretched order 
of men, formed merely for servitude ; and were more employed in 
computing the profits of their labour, than in enquiring into the ope- 
rations of their minds, or the reason of their customs and institu- 
tions. 

The human body is less affected by climate than that of any other 
animal. Some animals are confined to a particular region of the 
globe, and cannot exist beyond it ; while others though they may 
be brought to bear the injuries of a foreign climate, cease to mul- 
tiply when carried from their native air and soil. Even such as 
seem capable of being naturalized in various climates, feel the ef- 
fect of every remove from their proper station, and graduHly 
dwindle and degenerate from the vigor and perfection peculiar to 
their species. Man is the only living creature, whose frame is at 
once sa hardy and so flexible, that he can spread over the whole 
earth, become the inhabitant of every regioia, and thrive and multi- 
ply under every climate, though not without some attending incon- 
veniences. 

The complexion of the Americans is of a reddish brown, nearly 
resembling the colour of copper. Their persons are of a full size, 
extremely strait, and well proportioned ; but they are more remark- 
able for agility than strength. AsJ;he*externalform of the Ameri- 
, cans leads us to suspect that there is some natural debility in their 

1 frame, the smallness of their appetite for food has be^n mentioned 
a 



182 THE HISTORY OF 

by many authors as a confirmation of this.suspicion. The quantity 
of food which men consume varies according to the temperature of 
the climate in which they live, the degree of activity which they 
exert, and the natural vigor of their constitutions. Under the en- 
ervating heat of the torrid zone, and where men pass their days in 
indolence and ease, they require less nourishment than the active 
inhabitants of temperate or cold countries. 

Notwithstanding the feeble m.ake of the Americans, hardly any 
of them are deformed, mutilated, or defective in any of their sen- 
ses. All travellers have been struck with this circumstance, and 
have celebrated the uniform symmetry and perfection of their ex- 
ternal figure. 

In the simplicity of the savage state, when man is not oppressed 
with labour, or enervated by luxury, or disquieted with care, we 
are apt to imagine tliat his life will flow on almost untroubled by 
disease or sufiering, until his days be terminated in extreme old 
age, by the gradual decays of nature. We find, accordingly among 
the Americans, as well as among other rude people, persons, 
whose decrepid and shrivelled forms seem to indicate an extraor- 
dinary length of life ; but as most of them are unacquainted with 
tlie art of numbering and all of them as forgetful of what is past, as 
they are improvident for what is to come, it is impossible to ascer- 
tain their age with any degree of precision. 

Whatever may be the situation in which man is placed he is born 
to suffer ; and his diseases in the savage state, though fewer in 
number, are like those of the animals whom he nearly resembles in 
his mode of life, more violent and more fatal. If luxury engenders 
and nourishes distempers of one species, the rigour and distress of 
savage life brings on those of another. As men in this state are 
wonderfully improvident, and their micans of subsistence precarious 
they often pass from extreme want to exuberant plenty, according 
to the vicissitudes of fortune in tlie chase, or in consequence of the 
various degrees of abundance, uith which the earth affords to them 
its productions in diiierent seasons. Their inconsiderate gluttony 
h} the one situation, and their severe abstinence in the other, are 
equally pernicious. The strength and vigour of savages are at some 
seasons, impaired by what tliey suffer from scarcity of food; at 
others, they are afflicted with disorders arising from Indigestions 
and a superfluity of gross ailiment. These are so common, that 
they may be considered as the unavoidable consequence of their 
mode of subsisting", and cut off considerable numbers in the prime 
of life. There are other disorders, to u hich they are continually 
exposed, owing to the inclemency of diffierent seasons. In the sa- 
vage state hardships and fatigues violently as.sault the constitution, 
in polished societies, intemperance undermines it. It is not easy 
to determine wliich of them operates with most fatar effects, or 
tends most to abridge human life. 

The thougiits and attenticfi of a savage are confined within the 
small circle of objects, immediately conducive to his preservation 
or enjoyment. Every thing beyond that is beneath his observa- 



SOUTH AMERICA. 183 

tions, OP is entirely indifferent to him. Like a mere 'animal, what is 
before his eyes interests and affects him ; what is out of sight or at 
a distance, makes little impression. They follow blindly the im- 
pulse of the appetite they feel,*but are entirely regardless of distant 
consequences, and even of those removed in the least degree from 
immediate apprehension. 

The active efforts of their minds are few and languid. The de- 
sires of simple nature are very limited, arid where a favourable cli- 
mate yields almost spontaneously what suffices to gratify them, 
they scarcely stir the soul, or excite any violent emotion. Hence 
the people of several tribes in America waste their lives in a state 
of indolence. 

To be free froni occupation, seems to be all the enjoyment to 
whtcli they aspire. Such is their aversion to labour, that neither 
the hope of future good, nor the apprehension of evil, can surmount 
it. They appear equally indifferent to both, discovering little soli- 
cituile, and taking no precaution to avoid the one, or to secure the 
other. The cravings of hunger may rouse r.hem : but as they de- 
vour with little distinction, whatever will appease its instinctive de- 
mands, the exertions these occasion are of short duration. 

Amongst the rudest tribesin America, regular union between hus- 
band and wife was universal, and the rights of marriage were un- 
derstood recognized. In those districts where subsistence was 
scanty, and the difficulty of maintaining a family was great, the man 
connned himself to one wife. In warmer and more fertile provin- 
ces, the ficillty of procuring food concurred with tVe influence of 
climate, in inducing the inhabitants toencrease the number of tlieir 
v.ives. In some countries, the marriai;e union subsisted during life^ 
in otiiers, the impatience of the Americans under restraint of any 
species, together with their natural levity and caprice, prompted 
ihem to dissolve it on very slight pretexts, and often without as- 
signing' any cause. 

The situation of the American women, in whatever light we 
consider them, was equally humiliating and miserable. Among 
many people of America the marriage contract is properly a pur- 
chase. The man buys his wife of her parents. Though acquaint- 
ed with the use of money, or with such commercial transactions as 
take place in more improved society, he knows how to give an equi- 
valent for an object he desires to possess. In some places, the suit- 
or devotes his services for a certain time to the parent of the maid 
vv'hom he courts ; in others, he hunts for them occasionally, or as- 
sists in cultivating their fields, and forming their canoes ; in others 
lie offers presents qf such things as are deemed most valuable on 
account of their usefulness or rarity. In return for these, he re = 
ceives his Vvife ;iand this circumstance, added to the low estimation 
of women among- savages, leads him to consider lier a femaje ser- 
vant whom he has a title to treat as an inferior. The condition of 
an American woman is so peculiarly grievous, ^nd their depression 
BO complete, that servitude is a name too mild to describe their 
wretched state. A. wife, among most tribes, is iio better titan a 



I84r THE HISTORY OF 

beast of burden, destined to every office of labour and fatigue.— 
While the men loiter out the day in sloth, or spend it in amuse, 
inent, the women are condemned to incessant toil. Tasks are im- 
posed upon them without pity, and services are received without 
complacence or gratitude. -Every circumstaDce reminds women 
of this mortif}^ing' inferiority. They must approach tlieir lords 
Vvith reverence, regard them as more exalted beings, and are not 
permitted to eat in their presence. 

The Americans are not deficient in affection and attachment to 
their offspring. They feel the pov/er of this instinct in its full force, 
and as long as their progeny continue feeble and helpless no peo- 
ple exceed them in tenderness and care. In the simplicity of the 
savage state the affections of parents, like the instinctive f)ndness 
of animals, ceases almost entirely as soon as their offspring attain 
maturity. Little instruction fits them for that mode of life to 
which they are destined. The parents as if their duty were ac- 
complished, v/hen they have conducted their children through the 
helpless years of infancy, leave them afterwards at entire liberty. 
In an American hut, a father, a mother, and their posterity, live 
together like persons assembled by accident, without seeming to 
feel the obligation of the duties mutually arising from such con- 
nexion. 

Though the people of America may be all comprehended under 
the general denomination of savage, the advances they had made 
in the art of procuring to themselves a certain and plentiful sub- 
sistence were very unequal. On the vast plains of South America, 
man appears in one of the rudest states in which, he possibly can 
exist, several tribes depending entirely upon the bounty of nature 
for subsistence, They discover no solicitude, they employ little 
foresight, and scarcely exert any industry to secure what is neces- 
sary for their support. The roots which the earth produces spon- 
taneously, the fruits, the berries and the seeds, which they gather 
in the woods, together with lizards and other reptiles, which mul- 
tiply amazingly with the heat of the climate in a fat soil, moistened 
by frequent rains, supply them with food during some part of the 
year. At other times they live upon fish ; and nature seems to 
bave indulged the laziness of the South American tribes by her lib- 
eralities in this way. The vast rivers of that part of America a- 
bound with an infinite varlty of delicate fish, and are so numerous as 
to be caught with little trouble. None but tribes contiguous to great 
rivers cafn support themselves in this manner. The greater part of 
the American nations, dispersed over the forests with which their 
country is covered, do not procure subsistence with the same faci- 
lity ; but are obliged to obtain it by hunting, which in many parts 
is their principal occupation, and which requires strenuous exer- 
tions. 

As game and fish are the principal food of the Americans, their 
agriculture is neither extensive nor laborious. Their principal 
productions in this line are maze, manioc, plaintain, potatoes, and 
piemnto. All th^ fruits of their industry, together witli what 



SOUTH AMERICA. 185 

their soil and climate produced spontaneously, afforded them but a 
scanty maintenance. Though their demands for food were very 
sparing", they hardly raised what was sufficient for their own con- 
sumption. 

In America, the word nation is not of the same import as in 
other parts of the globe. It is applied to small societies, perhaps 
not exceeding two or three hundred persons, but occupying provin- 
ces larger than some kingdoms in Europe. In the provinces which 
border on the Oronoco, one may travel several hundred miles, in 
different directions, without finding a single hut or observing the 
footsteps of a human creature. 

The Americans had no idea of property. As the animals on 
which the hunter feeds are not bred under his inspection, nor nou- 
rished by his care, he can claim no right to them while they run 
wild in the forest. The forests, or hunting grounds, are deemed 
the property of the tribe, from which it has a title to exclude every 
rival nation ; but no individual arrogates a right to any district of 
these, in preference to his fellovv^-citizen. 

We shall now proceed to take a cursory view of their art of war. 
Savage nations, in carrying on their public wars, are influenced by 
the same ideas, and animated with the same spirit, as in prosecut- 
ing private vengeance. The maxims by which they regulate their 
military operations, though extremely different from those, which 
take place among- more civilized and populous nations, are well suit- 
ed to their own political state, and the nature of the country in 
which they act. They never take the field in numerous bodies, as 
it would require a greater effort of foresight and industry, than is 
usual among savages, to provide for their subsistence, during a 
march of some'hundred miles through dreary forests, or during a 
long voyage upon their lakes and rivers. 

Their armies are not encumbered with baggage or military 
stores. Each v/arrior, besides his arms, carries a mat and a small 
bag of pounded maize, and with these he is completely equipped 
for any service. While at a distance from the enemies' frontier, 
they disperse through the woods, and support themselves with the 
game they kill, and the fish they catch. The manner in which 

r^' they attack their enemies, the treatment of their prisoners, and the 

\ surprising fortitude they shew in bearing the most cruel tortures, 
being nearly the same among the South American Indians as 
arneng the North we shall not here mention what will be found 
on that head in our History of North America. 

In the warmer and more mild climates of America, norie of the 
rude tribes were cloathed. To most of them Nature had not even 
sug'gested any idea of impropriety of being altogether uncovered. 
As under a mild climate there was little need of any defence from 
the injuries of the air, ahd their extreme indolence shunned every 
species of labour to which it was not urged by absolute necessity 5, 
all the inhabitants of the isles, and a considerable part of the peo = 
pic on the continent, remained in this state of naked simplicity, 

!; Others were satisfied with some slierht covering, such as dencenc-i- 

I <12 ^ *', , 



186 THE HISTORY OF 

required ; but though naked, they were not unadorned. They 
fastened bits of gold or shells, or shining stones, to their ears, their 
noses, and cheeks. They stained their skins with a great variety 
of figares, Jwnd they spent much time, and submitted to great pain, 
in ornamenting their persons in this fantastic manner. 

In one part of their dress, which, at first sight appears the most 
singular and capricious, the Americans hare discovered consider- 
able sagacity in providing against the chief inconveniences of their 
climate, which is often sultry, and moist to exce.^s. All the differ- 
ent tribes, which remain unclothed, are accustomed to anoint and 
rub their bodies with the grease of animals, with viscous gums, 
and with oils of different kinds. By this they check that profuse 
perspiration, which in the torrid zone, wastes the vigour of the 
frame, and abridges the period of human life. By this too they 
provide a defence again&t the extreme moisture during the rainy 
season. They likewise, at certain seasons, temper paint of differ- 
ent coleurs with those unctious substances, and bedaub themselves 
plentifully with that composition. 

Sheathed with this impenetrable varnish tlieir skins are not only 
protected from the heat of the sun, but as all the innumerable tribes 
of insects have an antipathy to the smell or taste of that mixture, 
they are delivered from their teazing persecution, which amidst 
forests and marshes, especially in the warmer regions, would have 
been wholly insupportable in a state of perfect nakedness. 

Savage nations, being far fi-om that state of improvement, in which 
the mode of living is considered as a mark of distinction, and unac- 
quainted witli those wants, which require a variety of accommoda- 
tions, regulate the construction of their houses aiccording to their 
limited ideas of necessity. Some of the American tribes were so 
extremely rude and had advanced so little beyond the primeval 
simplicity of nature, that they had no houses at all. During the 
day, they took shelter from the scorching rays of the sun under 
thick trees, and at night they formed a shed with their branches 
and leaves. In the rainy seasons they retired into caves, formed 
by the hand of nature or hollowed out by their own industry. Others, 
who had no fixed abode, and roamed through the forest in quest of 
p-ame, sojourned in temporary huts, which they erected with little 
labour, and abandoned without any concern. 

Clubs made of heavy wood, stakes riardened in the fire, lances 
whose heads were armed with flint or the bone of some animal are 
weapons known to the rudest nations. All these, however, were 
of use only in close encounter ; but men wished to annoy their ene- 
jTiies while at a distance, and the bow and arrow is the most early 
invention for this purpose. The people in some p'*ovinces of Chili, 
and those of Patagonia, towards the southern extremity of America, 
use a weapon peculiar to themselves, They fasten stones about 
the size of a man's fist to each end of a leather thong of eight feet 
in length, and swinging these round their heads, throw them with 
such dexterity that they seldom miss the object they aim at. 



SOUTH AMERICA. U7 

As their food and habitations are perfectly simple, their domestic 
utensils are few and rude. Some of the southern tribes discover- 
ed the art of forming vessels of earthen ware, and baking them in 
the sun so as they could endure the fire. These vessels they used 
in preparing part of their provisions, and this may be considered as 
a step towards refinement and luxury ; for men in their rudest 
state were not acquainted with any method of dressing their vict= 
uals, but by roasting them on the fire, and among several tribes in 
America, this is the only 9pecies of cookery yet known. 

What appears to be the master piece of art among the savages 
of America is the construction of their canoes. An Indian, shut 
up in his boat of whalebone covered with skins, can brave that 
stormy ocean, on which he is compelled to depend for part of his 
subsistence. The inhabitants of the isles in South America, form 
their canoes by hollowing the trunk of a large tree, with infinite 
labour, and though in appearance they are extremely awkward 
and unwieldy, they paddle and steer them with such dexterity, that 
Europeans, well acquainted with all the improvements in the sci<- 
ence of navigation, have been astonished at the rapidity of their 
motion, and the quickness of their evolutions. 

With respect to their religion, even among those tribes, whose 
religiousm syste was more enlarged, and who had formed some 
conception of benevolent beings, which delighted in conferring 
benefits, as well as of malicious powers prone to inflict evil, su- 
perstition still appears as the offspring of fear, and all its eiforts 
were employed to avert calamities. They were persuaded that 
their good deities, prompted by the beneficence of their nature, 
would bestow every blessing in their power, without solicitation or 
acknowledgment ; and their only anxiety was to sooth and depre- 
cate the wrath of the powers, whom they regarded as the enemies 
of mankind. 

With respect to the immortality of the soul the sentiments of the 
Americans were more united. The human mind, even when least 
improved and invigorated by culture, shrinks from the thoughts of 
dissolution, and looks forward with hope and expectation to a state 
of future exVstence. The most uncivilized savages of America do 
not apprehend death as the extinction of being : ail entertain 
hopes of a future and more happy state, where they shall be for- 
ever exempt from the calamities, which embitter human life in its 
present condition. This future state they conceive to be a delight- 
ful country blest with perpetual spring, whose forests abound with 
game, whose rivers swarm with fish, where famine is never feltj 
and uninterrupted plenty shall be enjayed without labour or toil. 

As the diseases of men in the savage stage are like those of the 
animal creation, few but extremely violent, their impatience under 
what they suffer, and solicitude for the recovery of health, soon 
inspired them with extraordinary reverence for such as pretended 
to undei-fitand the nature ®f their maladies, or to preserve them 
from their sud len and fatal effects However these ignorant pre- 
tenders being such utter strangers to the struotvire of the human 



188 THE HISTORY OF 

frame, as to know neither the causes of disorders, nor the manner 
in which they vrere likely to terminate, superstition, frequently 
mingled with some portion of craft, supplied what they wanted in 
knowledge. They imputed the origin of diseases to supernatnral 
influence, and advised or performed a variety of superstitious rites 
which they represented to be sufficient to remove the most obsti- 
nate and dangerous disorders. 

From the superstition and credulity of the Americans likewise 
proceeded their faith in dreams, their observation of omens, their 
attention to the chirping of birds,, and the cries of animals, all 
-which they supposed to be indications of future events ; and if any 
one of the prognostics vvas deemed unfavourable, they eagerly 
abandoned the object they had in pursuit. 

Savage as the Americans v^^ere, they were not withont their 
amusements ; and of these dancing appears to be the principal. 
The war dance seems to be the most striking, in which are repre- 
sented all the manocuvers of an American campaign. Their songs 
and dances are mostly solemn and martial, they are connected 
with some of the most serious and important affairs of life, and, 
having no relation to love or gallantry, are seldom common to the 
two sexes, hut executed by the men and women apart. 

The Americans are universally fond of gaming. Though they 
are at other times so indifferent, phlegmatic, silent, and animated 
with so few desires, as soon as they engage in play, they become 
rapacious, imlpatient, noisy, and almost frantic with eagerness. 
Their furs, their domestic utensils, their clothes, their ai*ms, are 
staked at play and when all is lost, high as their sense of inde- 
pendence is, in a wild emotion of hope or despair, they will oflen 
risk their personal liberty upon a single bet. Among several 
tribes, such gaming parties are frequently made, and become their 
most agreeable entertainment at every great festival. 

The same causes that contribute to^-ender them fond of play, is 
the cause of drunkenness among them. It seems 'to have been 
one of the first exertions of human ingenuity to discover some 
composition of an intoxicating quality ; and there is hardly any 
nation so rude, or so destitute of invention, as not to have suc- 
ceeded in this fatal research. The most barbarous of the Ameri- 
can tribes have been so unfortunate as to attain this art ; and even 
those which are so deficient in knowledge as not to be acquainted 
with the method of giving an inebriating strength to liquors by fer- 
mentation, can accomplish the same by some other means. 

It is customary with the American Indians, when their parents 
and other relations become old, or labour under any distemper 
which they have not art enough to cure, to put an end to their 
lives, in order to be relieved from the burden of tending and sup- 
porting them. The same hardships and difficulty of procuring 
subsistence, v/hich prevent savages, in some cases, from rearing 
their children, prompt them to destroy the aged and infirm. The 
declining state of the one is as helpless as the infancy of the other ; 
and the American thinks he does nothing more than his duty, in 



SOUTH AMERICA. 189 

easino' his father or friend of a burtheiisome life of pain and dis- 

CtlSC ^ ' 

A hardness of heart and insensibility of feeling are remarkable 
in all savaf^e nations. Their minds, roused only by strong emo- 
tions, are little susceptible of gentle, dehcate, or tender aiTectiong. 
V/hen any favour is done him, he neither feels gratitude, nor 
thinks of making any return. The high idea of independence 
among the Americans nourishes a sullen reserve, which keeps 
them at a distance from^each other. 

A savage, frequently placed in situations of danger or distress, 
depending on no one but himself, and wrapped up in his own 
thoughts and schemes, is a serious and melancholy animal. The 
AmeVican, when not engaged in action, often sits whole days in 
one posture, without opening his lips. When they engage in war 
or the chase, they usually march in a line at some distance from 
each other, and do not exchange a single word. Even in their 
canoes, the same profound silence is observed ; and nothing but 
intoxicating liquors or jollity attending their dances, can at any 
rate render them in the least conversable. 

We may attribute the refined cunning, with which they form 
and execute their schemes, to the same causes. With the Amer- 
ican Indians, war is a system of craft, in which they trust for suc- 
cess to stratagem more than to open force, and have their inven- 
tion continually at v/ork to circumvent and surprise their enemies. 
The people of the rude tribes of America are remarkable for 
their artifice and duplicity. The natives of Peru were_ employed 
above thirty years, in forming the plan of an insurrection, which 
took place under the viceroyalty of the Marquis de Villa Garcia ; 
and though a great number of people of different ranks, were let 
into the secret, yet not a syllable of it transpired during all that 
period, no men betrayed his trust, or by an unguarded look, or 
imprudent word, gave rise to any suspicion of what was meditating. 

However, let us not suppose that the Americans were without 
their virtues, among which fortitude and courage were remarkably 
conspicuous. Accvistomed as the Indians are to continual alarmsj 
they grow familiar with danger; courage becomes an habitual vir- 
tue, resulting naturally from their situation, and strengthened by 
constant exertions. They are naturally attached to the communi- 
ty of which they are members From the nature of their political 
union, we should be led to suppose this tie to be very feeble ; but 
each individual freely and cheerfully undertakes the most perilous 
service, when the com .nunity deems it necessary. They have a 
fierce and deep rooted antipathy to the enemies of their country, 
and that zeal for the honour of their tribe, which prompts them to 
brave danger in the pursuit of triumph, and to endure the most 
exquisite torments, without a groan, that it may not be dishonoured. 
Far from complaining of their own situation, or viewing that o-f 
men in a more improved state with admiration or envy, they regard 
themselves as the standard of excellence, as being the best enti- 
tled, as well as the most perfectly qualified, to enjoy real happiness. 



190 THE HISTORY OF 



CHAP. V. 



-Ambition and avarice united to induce Velasquez to prepare j 
for the conquest of New Spain, so that when; Grijalva returned to ; 
Cuba, he foun'd tlie armament destined to attempt the conquest of ' 
that rich crniotry he had discovered, almost complete and ready to 
sail. Velasquez knew not whom to entrust with the command of . 
this important expedition. Thoug-hjie was of a most aspiring am- 
bition,, arul not destitue of talents for government, he possessed 
neither such courag-e, nor such vig-our and activity of mind, as to 
undertake in person the conduct of the armament he was prepar- 
ing-. He meanly unshed to find some person who had bravery and 
abilities equal to the undertaking-, but would attribute al,l the hon- 
our and glory to him. After some time searching- for such a |"ier- 
son and finding that no man of abilities would submit to such dis- 
graceful terms, he at last appointed Fernando Cortes to tlie com- 
mand. Cortes was a man of noble blood, but whose family v/as of 
moderate fortune : he was a good soldier, and every way qualified 
for such an undertaking. 

i'hough the governor had laid out considerable sums, and each 
adventurer had exhausted his stock, or strained his credit, the 
poverty of the preparation was such, as must astonish the present 
age, and bore no resemblance to an armament destined for the 
conquest of a great empire. The fleet consisted of eleven vessels* 
the largest of one hundred tons, which was dignified with the nanie 
of :\dmir?J ; three of seventy or eighty tons and tiie rest small open 
barks. On board of these were 6i7 men ; of wiiich 508 belonged 
to the land service, and 109 were seamen or artificers. As the use 
of fire-arms among the nations of Europe had hitherto confined to 
a few battallions of regular disciplined infs.ntry, only thirteen sol- 
diers v^ ere armed with muskets; tliirt)' -two were cross-bow men, 
the rest had swords and spears. They had only sixteen horses and 
ten small field-pieces. 

On the 10th of February, 1519, Cortes sailed wkh his small ar- 
mament to attack a most powerful monarch. He touched first at 
Cozumal, thei^ at Tabasco, and on the 2d of April aniv^ed at St. 
Juan de Ulua in Mexico. As soorj as they entered the harbour, a 
boat came off to them, to know what was the intention of their visit, 
and to offer them their assistance if needful- Cortes assured 
them, in respectful terms, which he did by m.ean.s of an inter- 
preter, that he approached their country with most friendly 
sentiments, and came to propose matters of great importance to 
the welfare of thelj' prince and his kingdom, which he would unfold ; J 
more fully, in person to the governor and the general. Next morn- ' f- 
ing, without waiting for any answer, he landed his troops, his 
horses, and artillery ; and having chosen proper ground, began to 
erect huts for his men, and fortify his camp. 

The Mexicans treated the Spaniards with tiie greatest civility,, 
but wished to divert them from their intention of visiting the capital 



SOUTH AMERICA. 191 

where the emperor Montezuma resided. For this purpose, they 
commenced a neg-ociation, by introducing* a train of a hundred In- 
dians, loaded with presents, sent from Montezuma to Cortes. 
The magnificence of these were such as became a great monarchj, 
and far exceeded any idea the Spaniards had hitherto formed of 
his wealth. They were placed upon mats spread on the ground 
in such order as shewed them to the greatest advantage. Cortes 
and his officers viewed with admiration the various manufactures 
of the country ; cotton stuffs so fine, and of so delicate texture, as 
to resemble silks ; pictures of animals, trees and other natural ob- 
jects, formed with feathers of different colours, disposed and min- 
gled with such .skill and elegance, as to rival the works of the pencil 
in truth and beauty of imitation ; but what more particularly at- 
tracted the attentioo of the Spaniards, was the amazing quantity 
of un wrought gold and silver, and the profusion of pearls and, pre- 
cious stones, the produce of the country. 

These rich presents, instead of inducing the Spaniards to quit 
Mexico, made them the more resolute to make a conquest of it. 
Cortes insisted on visiting the king in his capital, and declared he 
would not leave the island till that was granted. Of all the prin- 
ces who had swayed the Mexican sceptre, Montezuma vt^as the 
mobt haughty, violent, and impatient of controul. His subjects 
viewed him with awe, and his enemies with terror. The former 
he governed with unrelenting- rigour, .and the latter he reduced to 
awe by the power of his arms. However though his power and 
tyranny kept his subjects and neighbours in awe, yet he wanted 
those qualities of mind, which were necsesary to intimidate and 
subdue his new visitors. 

Montezuma from the moment the Spaniards appeared on the 
coast, discovered symptons of timidity and embarrassment. In- 
stead of taking' such resolutions as his power enabled him, he de- 
liberated with an anxiety and hesitation that did not escape the no- 
tice of the meanest of his courtiers. He spent his time in fruitless 
n^gociations with the Spaniards, and thereby raised their courage 
and consequence. 

In the mean time, Cortes was watching the opportunity to 
throw oif all connexions with Velasquez, whose natural jealousy 
had induced him to endeavour to deprive Cortes of the command 
of the expedition before he sailed. He got the confidence of the 
officers and soldiers, and, having assembled a council, he resigned 
the commission he had received from Velasquez, and was imme- 
diately chosen chief-justice and captain general of the new colony. 

Cortes owed much of his success to the Mexican gold, which he 
distributed with a liberal 4iand among botli friends and opponents, 
and thereby brought all to be of one mind. Having thus settled 
everything to the satisfaction of his army, by engaging it to join 
him in disclj^ning any dependence on the governor of Cuba, he 
thouglithe might now venture to quit the camp, in which he had 
hitherto remained, and advance into the country. To this he was 
iencouraged by an event no less fortunate than seasonable. He re- 



i92 THE HISTORY OF 

ceived a proffer of friendship from the cazique of Zimpoalla, a con- 
siderable town at no great distance. He found by their message 
that they were filled with such dread and hatred of Montezuma, 
that nothing' covdd be more acceptable to them, than a prospect of 
deliverance from the oppressions under which they groaned. Cortes 
was highly delighted to find, that the great empire he intended to 
attack was not united, nor its sovereign beloved. 

Some officers, whom Cortes had employed to survey the coast 
having discovered a village ibout forty miles to the northward, 
whichj as well on account of the fertility of the soil, as commo- 
diousness of the harbour, seemed to be a more proper station for a 
settlement than that where he was encamped, he determined to re- 
move thither ; Zimpoalla lay in his way, where the cazique wel- 
comed him in the manner he had reason to expect. He received 
Cortes with respect, almost approaching to adoration, and like one 
to whom he looked up as a deliverer. From the cazique he learned 
many particulars with respect to the character of Montezuma,"" 
whom he represented as a tyrant, cruel and suspicious. Cortes as- 
sured the cazique, that one great object of the Spaniards in visiting 
a countr)' so remote from their own, was to redress grievances, and 
to 'relieve the oppressed. ^ 

Having taken his leave of the cazique, he continued his march 
to Qiiiabislan. The spot his officers had chosen as a proper situ- 
ation, appeared so well to meet his approbation, that he immedi- 
ately marked out ground for a town- The houses to be erected 
were only huts ; but these were to be surrounded with fortifica- 
tions, of sufficient strength to resist the assaults of an Indian army. 
Every one, even Cortes not excepted, gave an helping hand to the 
erecting of fortifications, so essential to the preservation of every in- 
dividual of the colony. His next care was to form an alliance with 
the neighbouring kings, whom he taught to despise their emperor, 
by gradually inspiring them with an high opinion of the Spaniards, 
as beings of a superior order, and irresistible in arms. 

Cortes perceiving that some of his men grew tired of their pre- 
sent pursuits, and had even formed the plan of making their escape 
to Cuba in one of the ships, saw no hopes of success, but in cutting 
off* all possibility of retreat, and reducing his men to the necessity 
of ad >pting the same resolutions with which he himself was ani- 
mated, either to conqueror perish. With this view he determined 
to destroy his fleet and his address in persuading his followers to 
adopt his ideas, was not inferior to the boldness of the undertaking. 
With universal consent the ships were drawn ashore, and after 
stripping them of their sails, rigging, iron work, and whatever else 
might be of use, they were broken in pieces. Thus from an effi^rt 
of mag-nanimity, to which there is nothing parallel in history, fiv^e 
hundred men voluntarily consented to be shut up in a hostile coun- 
try, filled with powerful and unknown nations ; and having- preclud- 
ed every means of escape left themselves without any resource but 
what their own perseverance and valour could procure them, and 
on which every thing now depended. 



SOUTH AMERICA. J^3 

On the 16th of August, 1519, Cortes began his march from 
Zimpoalia, with five hundred men, fifteen horse and six field pieces. 
The remainder of his troops, consisting chiefly of such as from age 
or infirmity were less fit for active service, he left as a garrison in 
Villa Rica, under the command of Escalante. an officer of merit, 
and warmly attached to the interest of Cortes. 

The first war he engaged in was with the Hascalens, who advanc = 
ed against him with numerous armies, and attacked him in various 
forms, with a degree of valour and perseverance to which the 
Spaniards had seen nothing equal 1)1 the new world. - The Hasca- 
lens, however, were at last glad to sue for peace, seeing their own 
people so dreadfully destroyed, while the Spaniards remained un- 
hurt. *' If (said they to the Spaniards) you are divinities of a 
cruel and savage nature, we present to you five slaves that you 
may drink their blood and eat their flesh. If you are mild deities, 
accept an offer of incense and variegated plumes. If you are men, 
here is meat, and bread and fruit to nourish you." As both par- 
ties were equally desirous of peace, matters were soon settled 
between them. The Hascalens acknowledged themselves as de- 
pendent on the crown of Castile ; when Cortes took the republic 
under his protection, and promised to secure them against every 
attempt of injury on their persons or property. 

On the 13th of October, Cortes set out on his march for Mexico 
accompanied by six thousand Hascalens, so that he now appeared 
at the head of something like a regular army. As the Spaniards 
descended from the mountains of Chalco, over which the road lay, 
the vast plains of Mexico gradually unfolded itself to their view. 
This prospect afforded one of the most sti-iking and beautiful views 
on the face of the earth ; when they beheld fertile and cultivated 
fields, stretching beyond the reach of the human eye ; when they 
saw a lake resembling tbe sea in extent, encompassed with large 
towns, and beheld the capital city rising upon an island in the cen- 
tre, adorned with its temples and turrets ; the prospect so far sur- 
passed their most sanguine expectations, that some believ(^d the 
fancified descriptions of romance were realized, and that its en- 
chanted palaces and gilded domes were presented to their sight j 
others could hardly persuade themselves, that this wonderful sight 
was any thing more than a dream. As they proceeded their 
doubts were removed, but their amazement increased. 

Cortes was almost at the gates of the capital before Montezuma 
had determined whether he should receive him as a friend, or op- 
pose him as an enemy. On their arrival near the city, about a 
thousand persons, who bore marks of distinction, came out to meet 
them, dressed in mantles of fine cotton, and adorned with plumes. 
Each of these separately passed Cortes, and paid the most sub- 
missirv'e obedience to him according to the mode of their country. 
They announced the approach of Montezuma himself, and his har- 
bingers soon after came in sight. Two hundred persons in an uni- 
form dress first appeared, ornamented vt'ith feathers, proceeding 
ivo and two, barefooted, and in profound silence, with their eyes 
R 



194 THE HISTORY OF 

fixed to their ground. A company of higher rank next foliovved, 
in their most sumptuous ornaments ; in the midst of whom was 
Montezuma, in a litter richly ornamented with gold, and feathers^ 
of various colours. He was carried on the shoulders of four of 
his principal favourites, while others supported a canopy of curious 
workmanship over his head. Before him marched three oificers 
with rods of gold in their hands, which they lifted up on high at 
certain intervals, when all the people immediately bowed their 
heads and hid their faces, as unworthy to look on so great a mon- 
arch. As soon as he approached Gortes dismounted, advanced 
towards him with officious haste, and in a respectful posture. 
Montezuma immediately alighted from his chair, and leaning on 
the arms of two of his near relations, approached with a slow and 
stately step, his attendants covering the streets with cotton cloth, 
that he might not touch the ground. Cortes accosted him with 
profound reverence, after the European fashion ; and Montezuma 
returned the salutation according to tl^e mode of his country, by 
touching che earth with his hand, and then kissing it. Montezu- 
ma conducted Cortes to the quarters he had prepared for his re = 
ception, and immediately took leave of him with a politeness not 
unv/orthy of a court more refined. Nothing material passed at 
this first interview. ^ ^ 

In the evening, Montezuma returned to visit his guests with 
the same pomp as in their first interview. He told Cortes, that 
fi-om what he had heard and seen of him and his followers, he was 
convinced that they were the very persons, whose appearance the 
Mexican traditions and prophecies taught them to expect, in order 
to reform their constitution and laws ; that he had accordingly re- 
-c.^ived them not as strangers, but as relations of the same blood 
and parentage, and desired that they might consider themselves 
as masters in his dominions, tor both himself and his subjects 
should be ready to comply with their will, and even to prevent their 
wishes. The three subsequent days were employed in viewing 
the city ; the appearance of which, so far superior in the order 
of its buildings, and the number of its inhabitants, to any place 
the Spaniards had beheld in America, filled them with wonder 

and surprise. , , r. • j i. 

Thou^'-h the novelty of these objects amused the Spaniards, yet 
th?y were not without their alarms on account of their safety. The 
allies of the Spaniards assured Cortes, that the Mexican priests 
bad, in the name of the gods, counselled their sovereign to admit 
the Spaniards into the capital, that he might cut them ofiT there at 
one blow with perfect security. ^ . . ^ 

Cortes very plainly perceived that his destruction was intended ; 
it was therefore necessary to extricate himself out of the difficul- 
ties, in which one bold step had involved him, by venturing upon 
another still bolder. The situation was trying but his mind was 
equal to it; and, after revolving the matter v. liii deep attention* 
he fixed upon a plan no less extraovdin^iry than daring. He de- 
termined to seize Monttzuma iahis palace and can-y Liirx as a 



' SOUTH AMERICA, 195 

prisoner to the Spanish quarters. The plan being- properly settled 
between Cortes and his officers, this powerful monarch was seized 
by a few strangers in the midst of his capital, at noon day, and 
carried off as a prisoner, without opposition or bloodshed. History 
contains nothing parallel to this event, either with respect to the 
temerity of the attempt, or the success of the execution, and were 
not all the circumstances of this extraordinary transaction au- 
tlienticated by the most unquestionable evidence, they would ap- 
pear so wild and extravagant J\g to go far beyond the bounds of 
reason and probability. 

Oil the 4th of December, 1519, Qiialcopoca, the son of Monte- 
zuma, and five of tlxe principal officers who served under him, 
were broug-ht prisoners to the citadel^ formally tried by a Spanish 
court-ma.rtial, and, though the3^ had acted no other part than what 
became loyal subjects aiul brave men, they were condemned to be 
burnt alive, which was immediately put in execution. The rig-oup 
with which Cortes punished the unhappy persons., who first pre- 
sumed to lay violent hands upon his followers, seems to have made 
all the impressions be desired. The spirit of Montezuma was not 
only overawed, but subdued. During six months that Cortes re- 
n^ained in Mexico, the monarch continued in tlie Spanish quarters, 
vvith an appearance of an entire satisfaction, and tranquillity, as if 
he had resided there, not from constraint, but through choice. 
His ministers and officers attended him as usual, he took cogniz- 
ance of all afiairs, and every order was issued in his name. The 
external aspect of government appearing the same, and all its an- 
cient forms being scrupulously observed, the people were so little 
sensible of any change, that they obeyed the mandates of their 
monarch with the same submissive reverence as ever. I'hus, by 
the fortunate temerity of Cortes in seizing Montezuma, the Span- 
iards at once secured to themselves more extensive authority in 
the Mexican empire, than it was possible to have acquired in a 
long course of time by open force ; and they exercised more abso- 
lute swjvy in the name of another, tlian they could have done ia 
their own. 

Cortes, encouraged by so many instances of the monarch's tame 
submission to his will, ventured to put it to a proof still more try- 
ing. He urged Montezuma to acknowledge himself a vassal of 
the king of Castile, to hold his crown of him as superior, and to 
subject his dominions to the payment of an annual tribute. With 
this requisition, the last and most humbling that can be made to 
one possessed of sovereign authority, Montezuma was so obsequi- 
ous as to comply. The act of submission and homage was execut- 
ed with all the formalities the Spaniards were pleased to dictate. 

The next attempt Cortes made was to alter their religion, which 
had such an efiect upon the Mexicans, that they determ'ined to de- 
stroy the Spaniards if they persisted in it ; and even Montezuma 
himself had expressed his wish to Cortes, tliat he v/cuid think of 
t'eturning home. 



196 THE HISTORY OF 

While things continued in this critical situation, Cortes, anxious 
about what was past, uncertain with respect to the future, and 
much oppressed by the late declaration of the Mexicans, he re-£^ 
ceived an account of some ships having' appeared on the coast.*' 
He idly imagined that his messengers were returned from Spain, 
and that the completion of all his hopes and wishes were at hand. 
However a courier soon brought certain information, that the ar- 
mament was fitted out by Velasquez, governor of Cuba_, and instead 
of bringing the aid they expectedj threatened them with immedi- 
ate destruction. This armament was commanded by Pamphilo de 
Narvaez. 

Cortes was now greatly alarmed, as Narvaez seemed determin- 
ed to ruin him, having received orders from Velasquez to seize 
him and send him to Cuba in irons. Cortes at first attempted to , 
treat with his enemies ; but finding that impossible, he maJ^ched' 
against them with an army infinitely inferior to their's, and rushing 
upon them, in the night, obtained a complete victory. Narvaez 
was wounded, taken prisoner, and put in irons. 

This victory proved the more acceptable, as it was gained with 
little bloodshed, only two soldiers being killed on the side of 
Cortes, and two officers, with fifteen private men, of the adverse 
faction. Cortes treated the vanquished not like enemies, but as 
countrymen and friends, and offered to send them back immedi- 
ately to Cuba, or to take them into his service, as, partners in his 
fortune, on equal terms with his own soldiers. The greater part 
of them accepted the offer, and vied with each other in professions 
of fidelity and attachment to a general, whose recent successes 
had given them such a striking proof of his abilities. Thus, by a 
series of events no les* fortunate than uncommon, Cortes not only 
escaped from the destruction that seemed inevitable, but, when he 
had least reason to expect it, was placed at the head of a thousand 
resolute Spaniards. 

While Cortes was engaged in this business, the Mexicans seiz- 
ed the opportunity of his absence to take up arrfks, to which they 
had been more particularly urged by the cruelty and treachery of 
Alvarado, whom Cortes had left in the city, in order to take care 
of the royal prisoner and keep the natives in awe. 

On the 24th of June, 1520, Cortes marched back to the city and' 
took quiet possession of his ancient station. However, being too 
much elated with his success, he neglected to visit Montezuma, 
and embittered the insult by expressions full of contempt for that 
unfortunate prince and his people. This being rumoured about, 
they flew to arms in every quarter, and attacked the Spaniards in 
their fortifications. Ttiough the artillery pointed at their nume- 
rous battalions, crowded together in narrow streets, swept off mul- 
titudes at every discharge, though every blow of the Spanish 
weapons fell with mortal effects upon their naked bodies, the vio- 
lence of the assault by no means abated. Fresh men rushed for- 
ward to occupy the places of the slain, and meeting with the same- 
fate, were succeeded by others no less intrepid and eager for ven- 



^OUTH AMERICA. 1^/ 

^eance. The utmost efforts and abilities o? Cortes, seconded 
by the disciplined valour of his troops, were hardly sufficient to 
defend the fortifications of the Spaniards, into which the Mexicans 
had nearly forced their way. 

Cortes was now willing to try what effect the sight of the em- 
peror would have upoii his subjects. He was accordingly brought 
on the ramparts, from whence he addressed the Mexicans, ex- 
horting them to peaceable measures, which so enraged them, that 
he was soon wounded by two arrows, and the blow of a stone on his 
temples brought him to the ground. The Spaniards carried him 
to his apartments ; but he was so broken and dejected by the se- 
verity of his fate, that he tore off the bandage from his wounds, 
and soon expired. 

Soon after the death of Montezuma, Cortes found it absolutely 
necessary to abandon the city. He attempted his retreat by night, 
but the Mexicans, who had watched all his motions, fell upon him 
in his march and destroyed nearly one half of his army. All the 
artillery, ammunition, and baggage, were lost, and only a very 
small portion of the treasure they had amassed was saved. Many 
of the soldiers, having so overloaded themselves with bars of gold 
as rendered them un^t for action, and retarded their flight, fell 
igneminiously the victims of their own inconsiderate avarice. 

Cortes directed his march towards a rising ground at some little 
distance, and having fortunately discovered a temple situated on 
an eminence, he took possession of it. He there found not only 
the shelter for which he wished, but, what was no less wanted, 
some provisions to refresh his men. On leaving this place they 
marched for six days with little respite, and under continual alarms, 
numerous bodies of the Mexicans hovering around them, and har- 
rassingthem in front, rear, and flank, with great boldness. As the 
barren country through which they passed, afforded hardly any 
provisions, they were reduced to feed on berries, roots, and the 
stalks of green maize ; and at the very time that famine was de- 
pressing their spirits and wasting their strength, tlieir situation 
required the most vigorous and unremitting exertions of courage 
and activity. Amidst these complicated distresses, one circum- 
stance supported and animated the Spaniards. Their commander 
sustained this sad reverse of fortune with unshaken magnanimity. 
His presence of mind never forsook him, his sagacity foresaw every 
event, and his vigilance provided for it. He was foremost in eve- 
ry danger, and endured every hardship with cheerfulness. His 
soldiers, though despairing themselves, continued to follow him 
without reluctance. 

On the sixth day of their march, they reached the summit of an 
eminence, when a spacious valley opened to their view, covered 
with a vast army, extending as far as the eye could reach. The 
Mexicans, while with one body of their troops they harrassed. the? 
Spaniards in their retreat, had assembled their principal force on 
the other side of the lake, and posted it in the plain of Otumba, 
through which they knew Cortes must pass. At the^ight of this 
I R 2 



198 THE HISTORY OF 

incredible multitude, which, they could survey at once from the rls- 
ing ground, the Spaniards were astonished, and even the boldest 
began to despair. Cortes, however, without allowing* leisure for 
their fears to acquire strength by reflection, after reminding them, 
that nothing remained but to die or conquer, led them immediately 
to the charge. The Mexicans with unusual fortitude waited their 
approach ; but such was the superiority of the Spanish arras and 
discipline, that the impression of this small body was irresistible, 
and which ever way its force was directed, it penetrated and dis- 
persed the most numerous battalions. However while these gave 
way in one quarter, a fresk supply of enemies advanced from 
another, and the Spaniards, though successful in every attack, 
were ready to sink under these repeated efforts, without seeing 
any end of their toil, or any hope of victory. 

Cortes now observed, that the great standard of the empire, 
which was carried before the Mexican general was advancing. 
He fortunately recollected to have heard, that on the fate of it de- 
pended the event of every battle. , He therefore assembled a few 
of his bravest officers, whose horses were still capable of service, 
and placing himself at their head, pushed forward towards the 
standard, with an impetuosity that bore down every thing before 
it. A chosen body of nobles, who guarded the standard, 
made some resistance, but were soon vanquished, Cortes, with, 
a stroke of his lance, wounded the Mexican general, and threw 
him to the ground. One of the Spanish officers alighting, finished 
his life, and seized the imperial standard. ' The instant their lead- 
er fell, and their standard, to which all directed their eyes, was 
no longer to be seen, an universal panic struck the Mexicans, eve- 
ry ensign was lowered, each soldier threw away his weapons, and 
every one made the best of his way to the mountains. The Span- 
iards, v/ho were not in a condition to pursue them, contented 
themselves with collecting the spoils of the field, which were so 
valuable, as to be some compensation for the wealth they had lost 
in the city of Mexico. 

After this victory, Cortes dispatched an officer of confidence 
with four ships of Narvaez's to Hispaniola and Jamaica, to engage 
adventurers, and to purchase horses, gunpowder, and other mili- 
tary stores. As he knew it would be in vain to attempt the re- 
duction of Mexico, unless he could secure the command of the 
ake he found means to procure materials for building twelve brig- 
^antinesj so that they might be carried thither in pieces, ready to 
be put together, and launched, whenever he should want them. 

While he was harrassed and perplexed with the mutinous dispo- 
sition of his troops, two ships arrived, with a supply of men and 
militilry stores, sent by the governor of Cuba, not to assist Gortes 
l>ut with a view of his ruin. His address, however, brought them 
over to his views. He now found his army reinforced with 180 
Spaniards, and twenty horses. 

Soon after this fovu' ships arrived at Vera Cruz from Hispaniola, 
with two hundred soldiers, eighty horses, and two battering cannon^ 
and a considerable supply of aramunition andarms» 



SOUTH AMERICA-, 199 

On the 28th of April, 1521, all the Spanish troops, together with 
the auxiliary Indians, were drawn up on the banks of the Canal j 
and with extraordinary military pomp, heightened and rendered 
more solemn by the celebration of the most sacred rites of relig'ion 
the brig-antines were launched. Cortes now determined on making 
an attack onthe city of Mexico.— The brigantines no sooner ap- 
peared before the city, than the lake was covered with innumerable 
canoes, which made but a feeble resistance against these vessels 
manned by Europeans. The brigantines, with the utmost ease, 
broke through their feeble opponents, overset raaiTy canoes, aiid 
dissipated ttie whole armament with such slaughter, as convinced 
the Mexicans, that it was not in their power to contend with the 
Spaniards on the watery element. 

Cortes now determined to attack the city, and for this purpose 
he made all the wise preparations an able general could do ; but, 
owing to his orders not being properly observed, he was at last 
repulsed, received some dangerous wounds and would have been 
taken by the Mexicans, bad not some Spanish officers rescued him 
at the expense of their lives. Forty Spaniards fell alive into the 
hands of the Mexicans, who sacrificed those unhappy victims, in 
the most cruel manner, to their god of war. 

However unpromising an .gispect matters were at present, Cortes 
had a mind that rose above all difficulties. He soon found himself 
enabled to renew the attack on the city of Mexico, in which 
he proved so fortunate, that he took the emperor Guatimozin 
prisoner, who seemed worthy of a better fate. When the 
emperor was conducted to Cortes, he appeared neither with the 
sullen fierceness of abarbarian, nor with the dejection of a suppli- 
cant. *' I have done (said he, addressing himself to the Spanisli 
general) what became a monarch. I have defended my people to 
the last extremity. Nothing now remains but to die. Take this 
dagger, (laying his hand on one Vv^hich Cortes wore) plant it in my 
breast, and put an end to a life, which can no longer be of use." 

As soon as the fate of this unfortunate sovereign was known,^ 
the Mexicans ceased all resistance, and Cortes took possession of 
that small part of the capital, which had not been destroyed dur- 
ing the siege. Thus terminated the siege of Mexico, the most 
memorable event in the conquest of America. It lasted twenty- 
five days, of which hardly one passed v/ithout some singular elTort 
on the.part of the besiegers or the besieged. The great abilities 
of Guatimozin, the number of his troopd, the peculiar situation of 
his capital, so far counterbalanced tlie superiority of the Spaniards 
in arms and discipline, that they mast have relinquished the enter- 
prize, had they trusted for success to themselves alone ; but Mex- 
ico was overturned by its own tyranny, and the jealousy of its 
neighbours. 

The Spaniards v/ere no sooner masters of the city, than they set 
about seeking for the profuse riches they expected it would pro- 
duce ; but they were herein sadly disappointed. The soldiers 
could coUect only an inconsiderable booty amidst rui-is r:,Tid desoi'i- 



fm THE HISTORY OF 

tlon, and this dlsappomtmeiit excited them almost to an open pc- 
bellion ag-ainst Cortes. Arguments, entreaties, and promises, 
were employed in order to soothe them ; but with so little effect, 
that Cortes, with a view to check this growing- spirit of discontent 
gave way to a deed, wliich stains the glory of all his great actions. 
The unhappy monarch together with his chief favorite, were given 
up to be tortured, in order to force from them a discovery of the 
royal treasures, which it was supposed they had concealed, — 
Guatimozin bore whatever the refined cruelty of his tormentor* 
could inflict with tlie invincible fortitude of an American warrior 
His fellow sufferer, sinking under the violence of his anguish 
turned his sorrowful eyes towards his master, which seemed to im 
piore his permission to reveal all he knew ; but the high spirited 
prince, darting on him a look of authority, mingled with scorn, 
checked him by asking, *' Am I now reposing on a bed of flowers ?" 
His favorite felt the reproach, persevered in his dutiful silence, 
and expired. Cortes was so much ashamed of this horrid scene, 
that he rescued the royal victim from the hands of his torturers, 
and thereby prolonged a life devoted to future miseries. 

The fate of the capitals as both parties had conjectured, decid- 
ed that of the empire, and the provinces submitted, one after an- 
other, to the conquerors. Cortes, being now more at leisure, be- 
gan to form schemes of discovery, andto complete the original plan 
of Columbus, by finding a passage to the East-Indies by that quar- 
ter of the world they were in ; but he did not then know that this 
scheme had been undertaken and accomplished. 

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese gentleman, on the 10th of 
August, 1519, sailed from Sevile with five ships, and, after touch- 
ing at the Canaries,stood directly South along the coast of America, 
and on the 12th of January, 1520,reached the river De la Plata. Front 
hence he continued his course, after having conquered the mutin- 
ous disposition of his crew, and at length discovered, near the fifty- 
third degree of latitude, the mouth of a strait, into which he en- 
tered, in spite of the murmurs and remonstrances of the people 
under his command. After sailing twenty days in that winding 
dangerous channel, to which he gave his own name, and where one 
of his ships deserted him, the great Southern Ocean opened to his 
view, when he shed tears of joy and gratitude for that happy dis- 
covery. 

After enduring inexpressible hardships, from the want of pro- 
visions and other necessaries, on the 6th of March, 1521, tliey fell 
in with a cluster of small bat fertile islands, which afforded them, 
refreshments in such abundance, that their health was soon re-es- 
tablished. This extensive sea Magellan called the Pacific Ocean 
which name it still bears. He afterw^ards discovered the Philip- 
pine islands, and was there killed by the barbarous natives. 

John Sebastian del Cano prosecuted the expedition after the 
death of Magellan. After visiting many of the smaller islands, 
scattered in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean, they touched at 
the great island of Borneo, and at length landed In Tidore, one o 



r 



SOUTH AMERICA. 201 



the Moluccas. He followed the coui: j of the Portuguese by the 
Cape of Good Hope, and, after many disasters and sufferings, he 
arrivred at St. Lucaron the 7th of September, 1522, havinty sailed 
round the g-lobe in the space of three years and twenty-eight days. 

But let us turn to the transactions in New Spain. At the time 
that Cortes was acquiring such vast territories for his native coun- 
try, and preparing the way for future conquests, it was his singu- 
lar fate not only to be destitute of any commission or authority from 
the sovereig'n,whom he was serving with such successful zeal,but to 
be regarded as an undutiful and seditious subject. I'he court of 
Spain sent a person to supercede him, to seize his person, and con- 
fiscate liis effects ; but Cortes triumphed overall his enemies, and 
was appointed Captain-General and Governor of New-Spain. 

The jealousies and ingratitude of the court of Spain threw so 
many obstacles in the way of Cortea, that his government became 
very uneasy to him, and the court went so far as to send persons to 
enquire into his conduct, and to bring him to justice, should his 
interested judges find him guilty. He resolved, however, not to 
expose himself to the ignominy of a trial, in that country, which 
had been the scene of his triumphs ; and without waiting for the 
arrival of his judgesj to repair directly to Castile, and commit 
himself and his cause to the justice and generosity of his King. 

The Emperor Charles, having now nothing to apprehend from 
the designs of Cortes, received him at Court like a person, whom 
conscious innocence had brought into the presence of his master, 
and who was entitled, by the eminence of his services, to the high- 
est marks of distinction and respect. The order of St. Jago, the 
title of Marquis del Valle de Guaxaca, and the grant of a vast ter- 
ritory in New Spain, were successively bestowed upon him. 

Cortes returned to New-Spain ; but his power was so cramped, 
that he found himself in a very disagreeable situation. He formed 
schemes for new discoveries, explored California, and surveyed 
the greater part of the Gulf which separates it from New-Spain. 
On his return to his government he found himself surrounded with 
so many enemies, tiiat he determined once more to seek redress in 
his native country. 

On his arrival in Old Spain, the Emperor behaved to him with 
cold civility, his ministers treated him sometimes with neglect, and 
sometimes with insolence. His grievances received no redress," 
his claims were urged without effect, and several years passed in 
fruitless applications to ministers and judges ; an occupation the 
most irksome and mortifying to a man of spirit. Cortes finished 
his mortal career on the second day of December, 1547, in the 
sixty-second year of his sge, having experienced the same fate 
with that of all the persons who distinguished themselves in the 
discovery or conquest of the New World : envied by his cotem- 
poraries, and ill requited by the covu'ts he served, he has been ad« 
mired and celebrated by succeeding ages. 



202 THE HISTORY OF 

REMARKABLE EVENTS' RECORDED IN THIS CHAPTEIL. 

1518 Cortes is sent by Velasquez to conquer I^eiv Spain, 

1519 Lands his troops in New Spaiui 
Destroys his own Jieet. 

Sets out for Mexico with his little anny. 

1520 3fontezum.a acknonxledges himself a vassal of Spain, 
Death of the E')nperor Montezuma. 

1521 The conquest of all Mexico, followed by the taking of the city. 
The Strait of Magellan discovered. 

1522 Cortes appointed Captain-General and Governor of New Spain. 
1536 Cortes discovers California. 

1540 liei urns ho7n€ and there dies. 



CHAP. VL 



1 HE discovery of the Southern Ocean by Balboa excited a spirit 
of adventure in the colonies of Darien and Panama, who sighed af- 
ter the imaginary wealth of those unknown regions. Several ar- 
maments were fitted out in 1523, in order to explore and take pos- 
iession of the countries to the east of Panama, but under the con- 
duct of leaders, whose talents and resources were unequal to the 
attesnpt. They proved unsuccessful, and thereby damped tlie ar- 
dour of others. 

Three persons settled in Panama, whose names were Francisco 
Pizarro, Diego de Almagro and Hernando Luque, resolved to at- 
tempt the discovery of Peru, notwithstanding the ill success of 
former adventurers. These three men were destined to overturn 
one of the most extensive empires on the face of the earth ; though 
Pizarro w^as a bastard, with very little education ; Almagro a found- 
ling ; and Luque, a priest and schoolmaster at Panama. 

Each engaged to employ his whole fortune in this adventure.-^ 
Pizarro, being the poorest of the three, undertook the depart- 
ment of the greatest fatigue and danger, and to command in per- 
son the armament destined for the discovery. Almagro was to 
conduct the suppilies of provisions and reinforcement of troops, of 
which Pizarro might stand in need. Luque was to remain at Pa- 
nama to negociate with the governor, and superintend whatever 
was carrying on for the general good. As the spirit of enthusiasm 
uniformly accompanied that of adventure in the New World, and 
by that strange union both acquired an increase of force, this con- 
federacy formed by ambition and avarice, was confirmed by the 
most solemn act of religion. Luque celebrated mass, divided a 
consec^rated liost into three, and reserving one part tohimsel:^ gave 
the other two to his associates, of which they partook, and thus, in 
the name ofthe Prince of Peace, ratified a contract, of which plun^ 
der and bloodshed were the principal objects in view. 



SOUTH AMERICA. 203 

On the l^th of November, 1525, Pizarro set sail from Panama 
with a single vessel of small burthen, and 112 men. His voyage, 
however, was attended with great difficulties and hardships. Af- 
ter remaining five months in the island of Gorgona, noted for the 
most unhealthy climaterin that region of America, A vessel ar- 
rived from Panama. This transported them with such joy, that 
all their former sufferings were forgotten. Their hopes revived^ 
and Pizarro found little difficulty to induce not only his own follow- 
ers, but also the crew of the vessel from Panama, to resume his 
former scheme with no less ardour. Instead of returning to. Pana- 
ma, they stood towards the South East, and more fortunate in this 
than in any of their past efforts, on the twentieth day after their de- 
parture from Gorgona, they discovered the coast of Peru. 

After touching at several villages on the coast, they landed at 
Tumbez, a place of some note, about three degrees south of the 
line, distinguished for its stately temple, and a palace of the Incas^ 
or sovereigns of the country. There the Spaniards feasted their 
eyes with the first view of the opulence and civilization of the Pe-. 
ruvian empire. They beheld a country fully peopled and cultivated 
with an a|^earance of regular industry ; the natives decently 
cloathed, and possessed of ingenuity so far surpassing the othei- in- 
habitants of the New World, as to have the use of tame and do- 
mestic animals. But what chiefiy attracted their notice, was such 
a show of gold and silver not only in the ornaments of their persons 
and temples, but in several vessels and utensils for common use, 
formed of those precious metals as left no room to doubt that it a° 
bounded with profusion in the country. Pizarro and his compan- 
ions i:ow seemed to have attained the completion of their most san- 
guine hopes, and fancied that all their wishes snd dreams of rich 
domains, and inexhaustible treasures, would soon be realized. 

Pizarro, having explored the country as far as it was necessary to 
ascertain the importance of the discovery, procured from the inha- 
bitants some of their Llamas, ov tame cattle, to v;hich the Spaniards 
g'ave the name of sheep ; some vessels of gold and silver, as well 
as some specimens of their oth^r works of ingenuity ; and two 
young men whom he proposed to instruct in the Castilian language, 
fehat they might serve as interpeters in the expedition he meditat» 
ed. With these he arrived at Panama, towards the close of .the 
third year from the time of his departui^e thence. No adventurer 
of the ag-e suffered hardships or encountered dangers which equal 
those to v/hich he was exposed during this long period. 

On their arrival at Panama, Pizarro could not prevail on the gov- 
ernor to assist him in the conquest of Peru ; his associates there- 
fore sent him to Spain to negociate, where he managed matters 
more to his own interest than to theirs. On the 26th of July, 1528, 
Pizarro was appointed governor, captain general, and adelantado 
of the countries he had discovered and hoped to conquer, with su- 
preme authority, civil as well as military : thus he secured t(>him= 
self whatever his boundless ambition could desire. 



204 THE HISTORY OF 

After all the effofts of Pizarro and his assocktcs, three small 
vessels, with 180 soldiers, 36 of whom were horsemen, composed 
the whole of the armament. With this contemptible force in Feb- 
ruary, 1531, Pizarro did not hesitate to sail to invade a great em- 
pire. 

He no sooner landed in Peru, than he began hostilities, by 
which imprudent conduct his followers were exposed to famine, fa- 
tigue, and diseases of Various kinds. However they at length 
reached the province of Coaque ; and having surprised the prin- 
cipal settlement of the natives, they seized there, vessels and or- 
naments of gold and silver to the amount of thirty thousand pesos, 
with other beoty of such value, as dispelled all their fears, and in- 
spired the most desponding with sanguine hopes. 

The dominions of the sovereigns of Peru, at the time that the 
Spaniards invaded them, extended in length, from north to south, 
above fifteen hundred miles along the Pacific Ocean. Its breadth 
from east to west, was much less considerable, being uniformly 
bounded by the vast ridge of the Andes, stretching from its one 
extremity to the other. 

Pizarro, soon after his landing in Peru, discovered that a civil 
war s, as carrying on in that country. By these means he wae per- 
mitted to pursue his operations unmolested, i and advanced to the 
centre of a great empire, before one effort of its power was exert- 
ed to stop his career. The first complete information the Spaniards 
received of this war, was by messengers from Huascar, one of the 
contending parties, sent to Pizarro, in order to solicit his aid 
against his opponent Atahualpa. Pizarro at once perceived the 
importance of this intelligence, and foresaw so clearly all the ad- 
vantages, which might be derived from this divided state of the 
kingdom he had invaded, that without waiting for the reijiforce- 
ments he expected from Panama, he determined to push forward, 
while intestine discord put it out of the power of the Peruvians to 
attack him with their whole force, and while by taking part, as 
circumstances should incline him, with one of the competitors, he 
might be enabled with greater ease to crush them both. 

Strange as it may appear, Pizarro marched into the heart of the 
country attended hy his followers, consisting only of 62 horsemen, 
and 102 foot soldiers, of whom twenty were armed with cross bows, 
and three with muskets. Pizarro in the course of his march, re- 
ceived an ambassador from tiie inca of Caxamalca, who brought 
him very valuable presents from that Prince, accompanied with a 
profiei- of alliance Pizarro according to the usual artifice of his 
countrymen in America promised everything without meaning to 
fulfil any thing but what his interest directed. In consequence of 
these declarations, the Spaniards were permitted to march w^here 
they pleased. 

c5n entering Caxamalca, Pizarro took possession of a large court 
on one side of which was a house, which the Spanish historians 
call a palace of the Inca, and on the other a temple of the Sun, the 
whole suiTounded with a strong rampart or wall of earth. When 



SOUTH AMERICA. 50S 

he had posted his troops in this advantagreous situation, and had 
seen what profusion of riches the Inca possessed, Pizarro treach- 
erously seized on his person, during- the interview to which the 
monarch had invited him. While the Inca was engaged in con- 
ference with the Spaniards, Pizarro gave the signal of assuUlt, 
At once the martial musick struck up, the cannon and muskets 
began to fire, the horse sallied out fiercely to the charge, and the 
infantry rushed on sword in hand. The Peruvians astonished at 
the suddenness of the attack which they did not expect, and dis- 
mayed with the destructive effect of fire arms, and the irresistible 
impression of the cavalry, fled with universal consternation in every 
quarter, without attempting either to annoy the enemy, or to de- 
fend themselves. Pizarro at the head of his followers, advanced 
directly towards the Inca ; and though his nobles crowded around 
Jiim with officious zeal, and fell in numbers at his feet, while they 
vied one with another in sacrificing their own lives, that they might 
cover the sacred person of their king, the Spaniards soon pene- 
trated to the royal seat, and Pizarro seizing the Inca by the arm 
dragged him to the ground, and carried him as a prisoner to hi^ 
quarters. The fate of the monarch precipitated the flight of his fol- 
lowers. The Spaniards every where pursued them, and with a 
deUberate unrelenting barbarity, continued to slaughter the wretch- 
ed Peruvians, who never attempted to resist The carnage did 
not cease till the close of the day put an end to it, v.'hen above four 
thousand Peruvians lay dead on the spot. Not a single Spaniard 
fiell, nor was any one wounded but Pizarro himself, whose hand 
was slightly hurt. 

The plunder the Spaniards acquired on this massacre, was far 
beyond every thing they had formed in their minds of the wealth of 
Peru, and they were so transported with the value of the acqui- 
sition as well as the greatness of their success, that they passed 
the night in those extravagant exultations natural to indigent ad- 
venturers on so sudden a change hi their affairs. 

The captive monarch could not at first hardly believe what he 
saw to be real: and the dejection into which he'sunk was in pro- 
portion to the height of grandeur from which he had fallen. How- 
ever, the Inca soon discovered the ruling passion of the Spaniards, 
and by applying to that made an attempt to recover his liberty.— 
He offered as a ransom what astonished the Spaniards, ewn after 
all they now knew concerning the opulendei of his kingdom. The 
apartment in which he was confined was twenty-two feet in length, 
and sixteen in breadth; he undertook to fill itVitb vessels of gold 
as high as he could reach. Pizarro eagerly closed with this tempt- 
ing proposal, and a line was drawn upon the wall of the chamber, 
to mark the stipulated height to which the treasure was to reach. 

As fast as tlie gold was brought in, it was melted down, except 

some pieces of curious fabric, which were reserved as a present for 

the emperor. After setting apart the fiftii dne to the crown, and 

an hundred thousand pesos as a donative to the soldiers, who 

werejust arrived with Almagro, there remained 1,538/500 pesos 

S 



206 THE HISTORY Of: 

to Pizarro and his followers. The festival of St. James, (July 25, 
1532) the patron saint oi Spain, was the day chosen for .the parti- 
tion of this vast sum, Thoug-h assembled to divide the spoils of 
an innocent people, procured by deceit, extortion and cruelty, the 
transaction began with a solemn invocation of the name of God, as 
if they could have expected the guidance of heaven in distributing 
those wages of iniquity. In this distribution 8000 pesos, at that 
time not inferior in effective value, to as many pounds sterling of 
the present century, fell to the share of each horseman, and half 
that sum to each foot soldier. Pizarro and his officers received 
their dividends m proportion to their superior station. 

The Inca having thus fulfilled his engagement, demanded his re- 
lease ; but the treachery of the Spaniards induced them instead of 
setting him at liberty, to put a period to his life. He was tried 
and condemned to be burnt alive. At last the unfortunate prince 
consented to receive baptism, and was therefore indulged with be- 
ing strangled at the stake. 

Pizarro, having by these cruel proceedings established his au- 
thority in Caxamalca, no longer hesitated to advance towards Cuz- 
00 ; and having received considex*able reinforcements, he could 
venture, with little danger to penetrate into the interior part of the 
country. The Peruvians had assembled some large bodies of 
troops to oppose his progress, and several fierce encounters hap- 
pened ; but they terminated like all the actions in America : a few 
Spaniards v^^ere killed or wounded, and the natives were put to 
flight with incredible slaughter. At length Pizarro forced his way 
to Cuzco, and t ook quiet possession of the capital. The riches 
found there, even after all the natives had carried off and conceal- 
ed, either from a superstitious veneration for the ornaments of 
their temples, or out of hatred to their rapacious conquerors, ex- 
ceeded in value what had been received as the Inca's ransom. — 
However, as Pizarro's forcey were now more numerous, the com- 
mon soldiers did not receive so much as they expected, which 
proved a disappointment to their rapacity. 

After all these conquests, Pizarro set out for his native country, 
and arrived in Spain in 1534. The immense quantities of gold and 
silver which he imported, filled the kingdom with astonishment. — ' 
Pizarro was received by the Emperor with the attention due to the 
bearer of a present S0.fl'ich, as to exceed any idea the Spaniards 
had formed concerning the value of their acquisitions in America, 
even after they had been ten years masters of Mexico. Pizarro 
was admitted into the order of St. Jago, and, after getting his au- 
thority confirmed with new powers and privileges, he set out on 
his return to Peru, accompanied by many persons^ of higher rank 
than had yet served in that country. Almagro received the honours 
he had so' long desired : the title of Adelantado, or governor, was 
conferred upon hin% with jurisdiction over two hundred leagues of 
the-country stretching beyond tlie southern limits of the province 
allotted to Pizarro, 

Oh his arrival at Peru, he found Almagro in arms opposing lus 



\ SOUTH AMERICA. 20-7 

interest, and endeavouring- to do himself justice for the treacherous 
conduct of Pizarro, who had engrossed himself all the honours and 
emoluments, which oug-lit to have been divided with his a&sociate. 
However, matters were accommodated between them. Their new 
ag-reement was confirmed with the same power of solemnities as 
the first, and observed with as little fidelity. 

Cuzco, the capital city of the- Ineas, was situated in the corner of 
the empire, above four hundred miles from the sea, and much fur- 
ther from Qiiito, a province of whose value he liad formed an high 
idea. No other settlement of the Peruvians was so considerable 
as to merit the name of a town, or to allure the Spaniards t-o fix 
their residence in it. Pizarro, in marching through the country,, 
had been struck with the beauty and fertility of the valley of Ri- 
mac, one of the most extensive and best cultivated in Pen:. There, 
on the bank of a small river of the same name witl\ the vale which, 
it waters and enriclies, at the distance of six miles from Callao,. 
the most commodious harbour in the Pacific ocean, he founded a. 
city, which he destined to be the capital of his g-overnment. On 
the 18th of Jan, 1535, he gave it the name of Cindad de los Reyes,, 
either from the circumstance of having laid the first stone, at that 
season when the church celebrates the festival of the three Klng-s,, 
eras is more probable, in honour of Juana and Charles, the sove- 
reigns of Castile. This name it still retains among" the Spaniards 
in all leg-al and formal deeds, but it is better known to foreig-ners 
by that Linicii a corruption of the antient appellation of the valley 
in which it is situated. Under his inspection, the buildings ad- 
vanced with such rapidity, that itsoonassumed the form of a city,. 
which by a magnificent palace that he erected for himself, and by 
the stately houses built by several of his officerSj gave a strong proof 
of the grandeur it was at last to acquire. 

Almagro, as. agreed on between him and Pizarro, set out for 
Chili ; but on his march, he met withrso many hardships and diffi- 
culties, that many of his men died with fatigue. They no sooner 
entered on the fertile plains of Chiliv than they met with new diffi- 
culties to encounter. They there foimd a race of men very differ- 
ent from the people of Peru, intrepid, hardy, independent, and in 
their bodily constitution, as well as. vigour of spirit, nearly resemb- 
ling the warlike tribes in North America. Though filled with 
wonder at the first appearance of the Spaniards, and still more as- 
tonisiied at the operation of their cavalvy, and the effects of their 
fire arms, the Chilese soon recovered so far from their surprize, 
as not only to defend themselves with obstinacy, but to attack their 
new enemies with more determined fierceness than any American 
nation had hitherto discovered. The Spaniards, however, continu- 
ed to penetrate into the country, and collected some considerable 
quantities of gold, when they v/ere recalled to Peru by an luiex- 
pected event. 

The Incaof Peru, having observed the inconsiderate security of 
the Spaniards in dispersing their troops, and that only a handful of 
pldiers remaine.d in CuzcOj thought that the happv period vvas at. 



208 THE HISTORY OF 

length, come for vindicating his own rit^hts, fcr avenging" the wrongs 
of his country, and extirpating its oppressors. The Inca, who was 
tlie prisoner of Pizarro, obtained permission from hira to attend a 
great festival, which was to be celebrated a few leagues from the 
c.'ipital. Under pretext of that solemnity, the great men of the 
Empire were assembled. As soon as the Inca joined them the 
standard of war was erected, and in a short time, all the fighting 
men, from the confines of Qiiito to the frontiers of Chih, were in 
arms. Many Spaniards, living securely on the settlements allotted 
them, were massacred. Several detachments, as they marched 
carelessly through a country which seemed to be tamely submissive 
to their dominion, were cut otf to a .nan. The Spanish writers as- 
sert, that the Peruvian army amounted to 200,000 men, and with 
this powerful army, and their Inca at the iiead of it, they laid siege 
to Cuzco. During nine months they carried on the siege with in- 
cessant ardour, and in various forms. The inca, in spite of the va- 
lour of the Spaniards, recovered possession of one half of his capital, 
and, in their v&rio\is efforts to drive him out of it, Pizarro lost one 
of his brothers, and some other persons of note. 

Almagro arrived at Cuzco in a critical moment. The Inca at 
fu-st endeavoured to gain the friendship of Almagro ; but after ma- 
ny fruitless overtures, despairing of any cordial union with a Spani^ 
ard, he attacked him by surprize with a numerous body of chosen 
troops. However, the Spanish discipline and valour maintained 
their usual superiority. The Peruvians were repulsed with such 
slaughter, that a great part of their army dispersed, and Almagro 
proceeded to the gates of Cuzco without opposition. 

The Spaniards had no sooner got rid of their Peruvian ene- 
mies, than they began to quarrel among themselves, and the 
•flame t last burst out into civil war. Though countrymen and 
friends, the subjects of tlie same sovereign, each with the royal 
standard displayed ! and though they beheld the mountains that 
surrounded the plain in which they were drawn up, covered with 
avast multitude of Indians, assembled to enjoy the spectacle of 
their mutual carnage, and prepared to attack whatever party re- 
mained master of the field ; so fell and implacable was the rancour 
which had taken possession of every breast, that not one pacific 
council, not a single overture towards accommodation, proceeded 
from either side. Almagro was defeated and taken, tried by the 
Pizarros as guilty of treason, and condemned and executed, in 
15S8. 

However rapid the progress of the Spaniards had been in South 
America since Pizarro landed in Peru, their avidity of dominion 
was not yet satisfied. The o-fficers to whom Ferdinand Pizarro 
gave the command of different detachments, penetrated into sev- 
eral new provinces, and though some of them were exposed to 
great hardships in the cold and barren regions of the Andes, and 
others suffered distress not inferior amidst the woods and marshes 
of the plains, they made discoveries, and conquests which not only 
e:s:tended their knowledge of the country, but added 'con.'jideyably to 



1 



SdWH'AMMlCA. ' 209 



the temtories of Spain in the new world. Pedro de Valdivia rc«> 
assumed Ahnagro's scheme of invad,ing Chili, and notwithstanding*' 
the fortitude of the natives in defending their possessions, made 
such progress in the conquest of the country, that he foiuided the 
city of St. Jago, and gave a beginning to the establishment of the 
Spanish dominions in that province. 

Gonzalo Pizarro, whom his brother Francisco had made govern 
or of Quito, had entrusted one of his confidential officers, named 
Orellana, with an expedition on discoveries, appointing a proper 
place where they were to meet ; but this young officer began to 
fancy himself independent, and transported with the predominant 
passion of the age, formed schemes of distinguishing himself as a 
discoverer, and treacherously abandoned his friend and employer. 

It is impossible to describe the consternation of Fizarro, when' 
he did not find the bark at the confluence of the Napo and Marag- 
non, where he had ordered Oi'ellana to wait for him ; but that 
treacherous servant, after having niade some discoveries, got back 
to Spain, and there magnified his wonderful exploits. In the meaa 
time, Pizarro was twelve hundred miles from Qiiito ; and, in that 
long march towards the capital, the Spaniards encountered hard^ 
ships greater than those they had endured in their progress out- 
ward, without the alluring hbpes that then soothed and animated 
them under their sufferings. Hunger compelled them to feed on. 
roots and berries, to eat all their dogs and horses, to devour the 
most loathsome reptiles, and even to gnaw the leather of their sad- 
dles and sword belts. Four thousand Indians^ and two hundred 
and ten Spaniards perislied in this wild and disasterous expedition, 
which continued near two years. Those that got back to Quito 
were naked like savages, and so emaciated with famine, or worn, 
out with fatigue, that they had more the appearance of spectres 
than men, 

Gonzalo Pizarro was not much more happy on his arrival at his 
government of Quito, where he found every thing in a state little 
short of open rebellion against his brother Francisco. The young 
Almagro, after the execution of his father, never lost sight of tak- 
ing revenge of Pizarro. He possessed ail the qualities which cap- 
tivate the affection of soldiers ; he was of a gi"aceful appearance, 
dexterous at all martial exercises, bold, open and generous, he 
seemed tO'be formed for command ; and as his father, conscious 
of his ov/n inferiority from the total want of education, had been' 
extremely attentive to have him instructed in every science be- 
coming a gentleman, the accomplisliments he had acquired height- 
ened the respect of his followers, as they gave him distinction and' 
eminence among illiterate adventurers. In this young man the 
Almagrians found a point of union which they wanted, and looking ' 
up to him as their head, were ready to undertake any thing to pro- 
mote his interest. Their affection for Almagro was not the only 
incitement, being urged on by their own distresses. Many of 
them, destitute of common necessaries, and weary of loitering away . 
life a -burden to their chief, or to such of their associates as hixd' 



\ 



S 2 



210 THE HISTORY OF 

saved some remnant of their fortune from pillag-e and confiscation 
sighed for an occasion to exert their activity and courage, and be- 
gan to deliberate how they might be a\engedon the author of all 
their misery. Juan de Harrada, an officer of great abilities, who 
had the charge of Almagro's education, took the direction of their 
consultations, with all the zeal which this cosnexion inspired, and 
w\th all the authority which the ascendancy that he was known to 
have over- the mind of his pupil gave him. 

On Sunday, the sixth of June, 1541, at midnight, the season of 
tranquillity and repose in all sultry climates, Harrada, at the head 
of eigliteen of the most determined conspirators, sallied out of 
Almagro's house in complete armour, and drawing their swords, 
hastily advanced towards Pizarro's house. Their associates, warn- 
ed of tlieir motions by a signal, were in arms at different stations 
to support tkem. Though Pizarro was usually surrounded by such 
a numerous train of attendants, as suited the magnificence of the 
most opulent subject of the age in which he lived, 5'et he was just 
risen from table, and most of his domestics had retired to their 
own apartments, so that the conspirators passed through the two 
outward courts of the palace unobserved. They were at the bot- 
tom of the stai'rcase, before apa^e in waiting could give the alarm 
to iiis master, who was conversing with a few friends in a large 
I'.all. The governor, whose steady mind no form of danger could 
alter, starting up, called for arms, and commanded Francisco de 
Chaves to make fast the door : but that officer, who did not retain. 
so much presence of mind as to obey this prudent order, running' 
to the top of the staircase, wildly asked the conspirators what they 
meant, and whither they were going. Instead of answering, they 
stabbed him to the heart, and burst into the hall. Some of the 
persons who were there threw themselves frora:the v.'indows,, oth- 
ers attempted to fly, and a few, drawing their swords, followed 
their Leader into an inner apartment. The conspirators, animated 
with having the object of their vengeance now in view, rushed for- 
ward after them. Pizarro, with no other arms than his sword and 
buckler, defended the entry, and supported by his lialf brother 
Alcantara, and his little knot of friends, he maintained the unequal 
contest with intrepidity worthy of his past exploits, and with the 
vigour of a youthful combatant. *'^ Courage, (he cried) compan- 
ions, we are yet enow to make those traitoi-s repent of their auda- 
city." But the armour of the conspirators protected thetn, while 
every thrust they made took effect. Alcantara fell dead at his 
brother's feet, and his other defenders were mortally wounded. 
The governor, unable any longer to parry the many weapons furir- 
©usly aimed at him, received a deadly thrust full in the throat,, 
sunk to the ground and expired. 

As soon as Pizarro was killed, the assassins ran out into the 
.streets, and waving their bloody swords, proclaimed the death of 
the tyrant. About two hundred of their associates having joined 
tiiem, they conducted young Almagro in solemn procession through 
the city, and assembling the magistrates and principle citizens^ 






SOUTH AMERICA. 21>f 



compelled them to acknowledg-e him as lawful successor to his fa» 
ther in his g-overnment. 

Matters were not properly settled, when the arrival of Vaco de 
Castro, who assumed the title of g-overnor, tlirew every thing again 
into fresh confusion. Castro and Almagro bot); took the field. The 
former, knowing his strength to be far superior to that of the ene- 
mv, he was impatient to determine the contest by a battle. Nor 
did the followers of Almagro, who had no hopes of obtaining a 
pardon for a crime so atti-ocious as the murder of the governorj 
decline that mode of decision. 

On the 16ti) of .September, 1542, they met at Chupaz, about two 
hundred miles froiii Cuzco, and fought with all the fierce animosity 
inspired by the violence of civil rage, the rancour of private en- 
mitV; the eagerness of revenge, and the last efforts of despair. 
Victory, after remaining long doubtful, declared at last for Vaco 
de Castro The carnage was great in praporiion to the number 
of combatants Of fourteen hundred men, the totttl amount of the 
armies on both sides, five hundred lay dead on the fields and the 
number of the wounded was still greater. Of the prisoners, Cas- 
tro condemned some to death, others W2re banished Peru, and 
Almagro being taken, was publickly beheaded. 

The feelings of the emperor were exceedingly hurt at the reci- 
tal of so many actions shocking- to humanity. He perceived, that 
relieving the Indians from oppression was but one step towards 
rendering his possessions in tlie new world a valuable acquisition, 
and would be of little avail, unless he could circumscribe the power 
and usurpations of his own subjects there. With this view, he 
form.ed a body of laws, containing many salutary appointments with 
respect to the constitution and powers of the supreme council of 
the Indies ;. concerning the station and jurisdiction of the royal, 
audiences in different parts of America;, andthe order_of govern-- 
ment, both ecclesiastical, and civil. 

Notwithstanding these regulations, Peru was hastening to the 
highest pitch of anarchy and confusion. Castro however, by his 
wise and prudent measures, for some time averted the storm. 
A viceroy was sent over by the emperor, and, soon after his arrival 
in Peru, he was first imprisoned, and, after obtaining his libeTty, 
and raising an army to sui^port his authority,, was slain in battle. 
In tliis critical situation, the emperor sent over Pedro de la Gasca 
as president of Peru, who, by his moderation and good manage- 
ment, might have done great things, had not Gonzalo Pizarro, sup- 
ported by a strong party, assumed the government of Peru. Gasca,. 
perceiving that force must be employed in order to accomplish 
the purpose of his mission, collected troops in all quarters. 

On the 9th of April, 1547, as the two parties moved forward to 
the charge, they exhibited a very singular appearance. In that of 
Pizarro, composed of men enriched with the spoils of the most 
opulent country in America, every officer and almost all the pri- 
v.ate men, were cloathed in stuffs of silk or brocade, embroidered- 
with gold and silvej : and their borsesj their arms, tlieir standards-,. 



215 THE HISTORY G? 

were adorned with all the pride of military pomp. That of Gasca, 
though not so splendid, exhibited what was no less striking*. He 
himself, accompanied by the archbishop of Lima, the bishops of 
Qiiito and Cuzco, and a great number of ecclesiastics, marching 
along the lines, blessed the men, and encouraged them to a reso- 
lute discharge, of their duty, which could not fail that day of re- 
storing Peru to peace and tranquilUty. 

When both armies were just seady to engage, several of Pizarro's 
principal officers set spurs to their horses, and went over to Gasca, 
and many others silently slipped away. Pizarro, seeing all irre- 
trievably lost, cried out in amazement to a few officers, who still 
faitlifully adhered to him, " What remains for us to do ?" " Let 
us rush (replied one of them) upon the enemy's firmest battalion, 
and die like Romans." Pizarro, dejected with such a reverse of 
fortune, had not spirit to follow this soldierly counsel, and, with 
a tameness disgraceful to his former fame, he surrendered to one 
of Gasca's officers. Gasca, happy in this bloodless victory, did 
not stain it with cruelty. Pizarro, and a small number of the most 
distinguished or notorious offenders, were capitally punished, Pi- 
zarro was beheaded on the day after he surrendered. He sub- 
mitted to his fate with a composed dignity, and seemed desirous - 
to atone by repentance for the crimes he had committed. 

Pizarro was no sooner dead^ than the malcontents in every quar- 
ter of Peru laid down their arms, and tranquillity was soon restored. 
Gasca then endeavoured to find employment for the mutinous sol- 
diers who had laid down their arms, which he did by engag'ing them' 
in the conquest of Chili. In order to reward his own soldiers, he 
made a division of the country among them, without reserving the 
smallest portion to himself. 

Gasca having now accomplished every object of his mission, 
and longing to return again to a private station, committed the 
government of Peru to the court of audience, and set out for Spain 
on the first of February, 1650 

There had been no remittance of the royal revenue for four 
years, owing to the distracted state of the country, Gasca, how- 
ever, on his return to Spain, carried with him 1,300,000 pesos of 
public money, which the prudence and good order of administra- 
tion enabled him to save, after paying all the espences of the war. 
He was received in his native country with universal admiration 
and esteem for his abilities and his virtues, both which were highly 
conspicuous. Without army or fleet, or public funds ; with a train 
so simple, that only three thousand ducats were expended in equi- 
ping ?;him, he set out to oppose a formidable rebellion. But the 
praise bestowed on his abilities were exceeded by that which his 
virtues merited. After residing in a coimtry where wealth pre- 
sented allurements, which had seduced every person who had 
hitherto possessed power there, he retired from the trying station 
with integrity, not only untainted but unsuspected. After distri- 
buting among his countrymen possessions of greater extent and 
value^that -bad ever been in the disposal of a subject in any age or' 



SOUTH AMERICA, -213 

nation, he himself remained in his original state of poverty, and at 
the very time when he brought such a large recruit to the royal 
treasury, he was obliged to apply by petition for a small sum to 
discharge some petty debts, which he had contracted during the 
course of his services. Charles was not insensible to such disin- 
terested merit. Gasca was received by him v/ith tlie most distin-. 
guished marks of esteem, and being- promoted to the bishopric of 
Palencia, he passed the remainder of his days in the tranquillity of 
retirement, respected by his country-, honoured by his sovereign, 
and beloved by all. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECOXiDEO IN THIS CHAPTER, 

1526 Ptzarro discovers Peru. 

1528 He is appointed governor of the nevily discovered countries. 

1532 Massacre of the Peruvians by the Spaniards. 

1533 The Inca of Caxamalca tried, condemned and executed. 

1534 Pizarro arrives in Spain. 

1535 On his return to Peru, he builds Li^na. 
Chili invaded by Ahnagro. 

1536 Siege ofCuzco. . 

1538 Abnagro tried, condemned, and executed. 

1541 Pizarro assassinated in his palace. 

1546 Pedro de la Gasca appointed President of Peru: 

1548 He suppresses the rebellion in Peru. 

1550 Peturns to Spain, and is made Bishop of Palencia. 



CONCLUSION. 

Having now taken a review of the conquest of the two great 
empires of Mexico and Peru, very little more seems worthy of no- 
tice in the History of South America than to mention a few cir- 
cumstances relative to their political institutions and national man- 
ners. 

According to the account of the Mexicans themselves, their em- 
pire was not of long continuance. They relate, that their country 
was originally possessed, rather than peopled, by small independent 
tribes, whose manners and mode of life resembled those of the rud- 
est savages in South America About a period corresponding to 
the beginning of the tenth century in the Christian sera, several 
tribes iTioved in successive migrations from unknown regions to- 
wards the Horth and north west, and settled in different provinces 
of Anahuac, tlie ancient name of New Spain. These, more civili- 
zed than the original inhabitants, began to form them to the arts of 
social life. At length, towards the commencement of the thir- 
teenth century, the Mexicans, a people more polished than any of 
the former, advanced from the borders of the Califon/ian gulf, and 
took possession of the plains adjacent to a great lake near the centre 
of the country. After residing there about fifty years Ihey founded 



214 THE HISTORY GF 

a town, since distinguished by tlie name oi Mexico^ wlilch from 
humble beginnings soon grew to be the most considerable city in 
the New World. The Mexicans, long after they were established 
in their new possessions, continued, like other martial tribes in 
America, unacquainted with regal dominion; and were governed 
in peace, and conducted in war, by such as were entitled to pre- 
eminence by tlieir wisdom or their valour. Among them, as in 
other states, whose power and territories become extensive, the 
supreme autiiority centred at last in a single person : and when 
the Spaniards under Cortes invaded the country, Montezuma was 
the ninth monarch in order, who had swayed the Mexican sceptre, 
not by hereditary right, but by election Such is the traditional 
tale of the Mexicans concerning the progress of their own empire, 
which, according to this account, must have been but of short dura- 
tion. 

While the jurisdiction of the Mexican monarchs was limited, it 
is probable that much ostentation was not exercised i but as their 
authority became more extensive, tlie splendour of their govern- 
Hient encreased. It was in this last state the Spaniards beheld it, 
and struck with the appearance of Montezuma's court, they de- 
scribe its pomp at great length, and with much admiration. Tlie 
number of his attendants, the order, the silence, and the reverence 
with which they served him ; the vast extent of his royal mansion, 
the variety oi apartments allotted to diflE'erent officers, and the osten- 
tation with which his grandeur was displayed whenever he per- 
mitted his subjects to behold him, seem to resemble the magnifi- 
cence of the ancient monarchies in Asia, rather than the simplicity 
of the infant states in the New World. 

The Mexicans, like the rude tribes among them, were incessant- 
ly engaged in war, and the motiires that prompted them to hostili- 
ties seem to have been the same. They fought in order to gratify 
their vengeance, by shedding the blood of their enemies. In bat- 
tle, they were chiefly intent on taking prisoners, and it was by the 
number of these that they estimated the glory of victory. No 
captives were ever ransomed or spared : all were sacrificed with- 
out mercy, and their flesh devoured with the same barbarous joy 
as among the fiercest savages. On some occasions, it rose to even 
wilder excesses. Their principal warriors covered themselves 
with the skins of the unhappy victims, and danced about the 
streets, boasting of their own valour, and exulting over their en- 
emies. 

Their funeral rites were no less bloody than those of the most sa- 
vage sribes. On the death of any distinguished personage, espe- 
cially of the emperor, several of his attendants were chosen to ac- 
company him to the other world, and these unfortunate victims 
were put to death without mercy, and buried in the same tomb. 

Though the agriculture of the Mexicans was more extensive 
than that of the roving tribes, who trusted chiefly to their bow for 
food, it seems not to have supplied them with such subsistence as 
IBi^n rec^uire when engaged in efforts of active industry. The Spa-. 



SOUTH AMERICA. 2B 

niards appear not to have been struck with any superiority of the 
Mexicans over the other people of America in bodily vigour. Both 
according to their observation, were of such a feeble frame as to be 
unable to endure fatigue, and the strength of one Spaniard exceed- 
ed that of several Indians. This they-iraputed to their scanty diet, 
on poor fare, sufficient to preserve life, but not to give firmness to 
the constitution. 

In Mexico, though the disposition of the houses was somewhat 
orderly, yet the structure of the greater part of them was mean.— 
Kor does the fabric of their temples, and other public edifices, ap- 
pear to have been such as entitled them to the high praises bestow^- 
ed upon them by many Spanish authors. The great temple of Mex- 
ico, the most famous in New Spain, which has been represented as 
a magnificent building, raised to such a height, that the ascent to 
it was by a staircase of an hundred and fourteen steps, was a solid 
mass of earth of a square form, faced partly with stone. Its base 
on each side extended ninety feet, and decreasing gradually as it 
advanced in height it terminated in a quadrangle of about thirty 
feet, where were placed a shrine of the deity, and two altars on 
Which the victims were sacrificed. Greater skill and ingenuity 
were displayed, if we may believe the Spanish historians, in the 
houses of the emperor, and in those of the principal nobility. — 
There some elegance of design was visible, and a commodious ar- 
rangement of the apartments was attended to ; but if buildings 
corresponding to such descriptions had ever existed in the Mexi- 
can cities, it is probable that some remains of them would still be 
visible. As only two centuries and an half have elapsed since the 
conquest of New Spain, it seems altogether incredible, that in a pe- 
riod so short every vestige of this boasted elegance and grandeur 
should have disappeared. 

The Mexicans have been represented, perhaps, more barbarous 
than they really were ; their religious tenets, and the rites of 
their worship, are described as wild and cruel in an extreme de- 
gree. The aspect of superstition in Mexico was gloomy and fright- 
ful ; its divinities were cloathed with terror, and delighted in ven- 
geance. They were exhibited to the people under detestable 
forms, which created horror. The figures of serpents, tygers, and 
other destructive animals, decorated their temples. Feasts, morti- 
fications, and penances, all rigid, and many Of them excruciating 
to an extreme degree, were the means employed to appease the 
wrath of their gods, and the Mexicans never approached their al- 
tars without sprinkling them with blood drawn from their bodies ; 
but of all offerings, human sacrifices were deemed the most accept- 
able. 

The empire of Peru boasts of an higher antiquity than that of 
Mexico, According to. the traditionary accounts collected by the 
Spaniards, it had subsisted near four hundred years under twelve 
successive monarchs ; but the knowledge of their antient story, 
which the Peruvians could communicate to their conquerors, must 
I \ have been both imperfect and uncertain. Like the otiier Anjeri- 



216 THE HISTORY OF 

can nations, they were totally unacquainted with the art of writing, 
and destitute of the only means, by which the memory of past 
transactions can be preserved with any degree of accuracy. 

The authority of the Inca was unlimited and absolute, in the most 
extensive meaning of the words. Whenever the decrees of a prince 
are considered as the commands of the divinity, it is not only an 
act of rebellion, but of impiety, to dispute or oppose his will. Obe* 
dience becomes a duty of relig-ion ; and as it would be profane to 
controul a monarch under the guidance of heaven, and presumptu- 
ous to advise him, nothing remains but to submit with implicit res- 
pect. This must necessarily be the effect of every government 
"established on pretensions of iniercourse with superior powers. — 
Such accordingly was the blind submission which the Peruvians 
yielded to their sovereign. 

The Incas of Peru were immensely rich in gold and silver, long 
before they knew any thing of the rich silver mines of Potosi, 
which were accidentally discovered in the year 1545, by an Indian, 
as he was clambering up the movmtains in pursuit of a Llama which 
had strayed from his flock. Soon after the mines of Sacotecas in 
Nev/ Spain, little inferior to the other in value, were opened. — 
From that time successive discoveries have been made in both co- 
lonies, and silver mines are now so numerous, that the working of 
them, and of some few mines of gold in the province of Tierra 
Firme, and the new kingdom of Grenada, has become the capital 
occupation of the Spaniards, and is reduced into a System no less 
complicated than interesting. 

To return : the wars in which the Incas engaged, were carried 
on with a spirit very different;' from those of other American nati- 
ons. Tiiey fought not like savages, to destroy or extirminate, or, 
like the Mexicans, to glut bloodthirsty divinities with human sa- 
crifices. They conquered in order to reclaim and civilize the van- 
squished, and to infuse the knowledge of their own institutions and 
arts. Prisoners seem not to have been exposed to the insults and 
tortures which were their lot in every other part of the new world. 
The Incas took the people whom they subdued under their protec- 
tion, and admitted tliem to a participation of all the advantages en- 
joyed by their original subjects 

In Peru, agriculture, the art of primary necessity in social life, 
was more extensive, and carried on with greater skill, than in any 
other part of America. The Spaniards, in their progress through 
the country, were so full supplied with provisions of every kind, 
that in the relation of their adventures v^e meet with few of those 
dismal scenes of distress, occasioned by famine, in which the con- 
querors of Mexico were so often involved. The quantity of scil un- 
der cultivation was not left to the discretion of individuals, but re- 
gulated by public authority, in proportion to the exigencies of the 
community. Even the calamity of an unfruitful season was but lit- 
tle felt j for the product of the lands consecrated to the sun, as 
.well as those set apart for the Incas, being deposited in the pub- 
lic storehouses, it there remained as a stated provision for times of 
scarcitj'. 



SOOTH AMERICA. 2ir 

The ingenuity of the Peruvians was also conspicuous in the con- 
struction of their houses and public building-s, in the extensive 
plains which stretch along the pacihc ocean, where the sky is per- 
petually serene, and the climate mild, their houses were very pro- 
perly built only of slight materials ; but in the higher regions, 
where rain falls, where the vicisitudes of seasons are known, and 
their rigour felt, houses were constructed with great solidity. They 
were generally of a square form, the walls about eight feet high, 
built of bricks hai'dened in the sun, without any windows, and the 
door low and straight. Simple as these structures were, and rude 
as the materials may seem to be, of which they were formed, they 
were so durable, that many of them still subsist in different parts 
of Peru, long after every monument that might have conveyed to 
us any idea of the domestic state of the other American nations, 
has vanished from the face of the earth. It was in the temples 
consecrated to the Sun, and in the buildings destined for the resi- 
dence of their monarchs, that the Peruvians displayed the utmost 
extent of their art and contrivance. The descriptions of them by 
some of the Spanish writers, who had an opportunity of contem- 
plating them, while, in some measure, entire, might have appeared 
highly exaggerated, if the ruins which still remain did not vouch 
for the truth of their relations. 

The unwarlike spirit of the Peruvians was the most remarkable, 
as well as the most fatal defect in their character. The greater 
yjart of the rude nations of America opposed their invaders with 
the most undaunted ferocity, though with little conduct or success. 
The Mexicans maintained the struggle in defence of their liberties 
with such persevering fortitude, that- it was with difficulty they 
triumphed over them. Peru was subdued at once, and almost 
without resistance; and the most favourable opportunities of re - 
gaining their freedom, and of crushing their oppressors, were lost 
through the timidity of the people. 



END 0¥ THE HISTORV OF SOUTH AMERICA. 



PREFACE 

to fllE HJSroRT IF NORfH AMERICA, 



J^ UTURE g-enerations will perhaps view the late Revolution in 
North America, as the most singular phosnomenon that ever ap- 
peared in the political hemisphere of any nation. 

To point out the gradual steps by which America finally ob=. 
tained her Independence, to describe those terrible scenes of rapine 
blood, and slaughter, which accompanied those strug-g-les, so fatal 
to thousands of brave officers and men on both sides, and so ruin- 
ous to the finances of the mother-country are principally the objects 
pf this epitome 

In the execution of this business, we have endeavoured to divest 
ourselves of every spark of national prejudice, and have therefore, 
contented ourselves with barely relating facts, without presuming 
to give our opinion thereon, wishing to leave our readers the sole 
power of judging for themselves. 

Besides the detail of these important events, we have given an 
account of the customs and manners of the original inhabitants of 
North America, and such as they nearly are at this day. We 
have also shewn at what time, and by what causes, the British col- 
onies, in North America were first settled, and having marked 
their rise from their original insignificance, till they became 
Thirteen United and Independent States., 






THE 

HISTORY 

OF 

NORTH AMERICA. 



CHAP. r. 



i^EFORE we proceed to describe what America is at present, or 
by what means she. became independent of the Mother Country, 
it cannot be disagreeable to our readers, to be informed of the 
persons, customs, and manners, of the original inhabitants of North 
America. 

The native American Indians are tall and straight in their limbs, . 
beyond the proportion of most nations. Their bodies are strong, 
but more fitted to endure much hardship, than to continue long at 
any servile work, which they cannot support. Their bodies and 
heads are flattish ; their features are even and regular, but their 
countenances fierce ; their hair long, black, lank, and very strong, 
but without beards. The colour of their skin is a reddish brown, 
which most of thera admire, and take proper methods to improve. 

The Europeans, on their first arrival in America, found the In- 
dians quite naked, except those parts, which it is common for the 
most uncivilized people to conceal. Since that time, they have 
generally a coarse blanket to cover them, which they buy from 
their neighbours. The whole tenor of their lives is of a piece : they 
are hardy, poor, and squalid ; and their education, from their in- 
fancy, is solely directed to fit their bodies for the mode of life they 
pursue, and to form their minds to inflict and endure the greatest 
evils. Their only occupations are hunting and war, for agriculture 
is left to their women. 

As soon as their hunting season is over, which they go through 
with much patience, and in which they exert great ingenuity, they 
pass the rest of tlieir lives in entire indolence. They sleep half the 
day In their huts, and observe no boundst of decency in their eating 
and drinking. Before the Europeans discovered them, they had 
no spirituous liquors ; but now, the acquirement of these is the 
principal object of their pursuit. 

The Indians are grave, even to sadness, in their deportment up* 
CHI any serious occasion, observant of those in company, respectful ; 
T- 3 - 



222 THE HISTORY OF 

to the old, and of a temper coot and deliberate. Tkey are never 
in haste to speak before they have thought well of the matter, and 
are sure th.e person, who spoke before them, has finished all he has 
to say. They have, therefore, the greatest contempt for the viva- 
city oJT the Europeans, who interrupt each other, and frequently 
speak all together. In their public councils and assemblies, every 
man speaks in his turn, according as his years, his wisdom, or his 
services to his country, have ranked him. Not a word, not a whis- 
per, not a murmur is heard from the rest while he speaks ; no in« 
decent condemnation, no ill-timid applause. The younger class 
attend for their instruction, and here they learn the history of their 
nation ; here they are inflamed with the songs of those who cele- 
brate the warlike actions of their ancestors ; and here they are 
taught what are the interests of their country, and how to pursue 
them. 

Though tlie American Indian is naturally humane and hospitable, 
yet, to the enemies of his country, or to those who have privately 
offended him, he is implacable. He conceals hi* resentments, he 
appears reconciled, till, by some treachery or surprise, he has an 
opportunity of executing an horrible revenge. No length of time 
is sufficient to allay his resentment, no distance of place great e- 
nough to protect the object ; he crosses the steepest mountainsi 
he pierces the most impervious forests, and traverses the most hi- 
deous bogs and deserts for some hundreds of miles, bearing the 
inclemency of the seasons, the fatigue of the expedition, the ex- 
tremes of hunger and thirst, with patience and cheerfulness, in 
hopes of surprising his enemy, on whom he exercises the most 
shocking barbarities. 

The Americans have scarce any temples ; for, as they live by 
hunting, inhabit mean cottages, and are given to change their hab- 
itation, they are seldom very religious. Same appear to have 
little ideas of God ; others entertain better notions, and hold the 
existence of the Supreme Being, eternal and uncon^uptible, wha 
has power over all. Satisfied with owning this, which is tradition- 
ary among them, they pay him no sort of worship. 

The darling passion of the Americans is liberty, and that in its 
fullest extent : to liberty tiie native Indians sacrifice every thing. 
This is what makes a life of uncertainty and want supportable to 
them, and their education-is directed in such a manner as to che- 
rish this disposition to the utmost. They are indulged \u all man- 
ner of liberty ; they are never, upon any account, chastised with 
blows, and very rarely even chidden' 

Though some tribes are found in America with a king at their 
head, yet his power is rather pt-rsuasive than coercive, and he is 
r^erenced as a father, more than feared as a monarch He has 
no guards, no prisons, no ofRcersof justice. In some tribes, there 
are a kmd of nobility, who, when they come to years of discretion, 
are entitled to a place and vote in the councils of the nation. But 
amon<^ the Five Nations, or Iroquois, the most celebrated com= 
xnonwealtii of North America, and in some other nations, there is 



'f ^ORTH AMERICA. 223 

40 other qualification absolutely necessary for the head-raen, but 
age, with ability and experience in their aifairs. 

Whenever any affair of consequence is to be transacted, they 
appoint a feast, of which almost the whole nation partakes. There 
are smaller feasts on matters of less general concern, to which 
none are invited but those who are engaged in that particular busi- 
ness. At these feasts it is against all rule to leave any thing ; so 
that, if they cannot eat all, what remains is thrown into the fire. 
They look upon fire as a thing sacred, and in all probability their 
feasts were anciently sacrifices. Before the entertainment is 
ready, the principal person begins a song, the subject of which is 
the fabulous or real histery of their nation, the remarkable events 
which have happened, and whatever matters may conduce to their 
honour or instruction. The others sing in their turn. They have 
dances too, with which they accompany their songs, chiefly of a 
martial kind ; and no solemnity or public business is carried on 
without such songs and dances. 

The charge of the internal peace and order is likewise commit- 
ted to the same council of their elders, which regulates whatever 
reg-ards the external policy of the state. Their suits are few, and 
quickly decided, having neither property nor art enough to render 
them perplexed or tedious. 

The loss of any of their people, whether by war or a natural 
death, is lamented by the whole town he belongs to. In such cir- 
cumstances no business is taken in hand, however important, nor 
any rejoicings permitted, however interesting the occasion, until 
all the pious ceremonies due to the dead are performed, which 
are always discharged with the greatest solemnity. The dead 
body is washed, anointed, and painted, so as in some measure to 
abate the horrors of death. Then the women lament the loss with 
the most bitter cries, and the most hideous bowlings, intermixed 
with songs, which celebrate the great actions of the deceased, and 
those of his ancestors. The men mourn in a less extravagant 
manner. The whole village attends tlie body to the grave, which 
is then interred, habited in their most sumptuous ornaments. With 
the body of the deceased are placed his bow and arrows, with what 
he valued most in his life, and provisions for the long journey he 
is to take. Feasting attend<i this, as it does every solemnity. 

No instances of regard to their deceased friends are so striking 
as what they call the Feast of the Dead, or the Feast of Souls- 
The day of this ceremony is appointed in the council of their 
chiefs, who give orders for every thiiag that may enable them to 
celebrate it with pomp and manificence. The neighbouring peo- 
ple are invited to partake of the feast, and to be witnesses of the 
solemnity. At this time, all who have died since the last solemn 
feast of that kind are taken out of their graves j those who have 
been interred at the gi'eatest distance from the villages are dili- 
gertly sought after, and brought to this great rendezvous of sepul- 
chral relicts. 



224 THE HISTORY OF 

The opening of these tombs displays one of the most striking; 
scenes that can be conceived. This humiUatin^ portrait of human 
misery, exhibited in so many images of death, wherein a thousand 
various shapes of horror are depicted, according- to the different 
ravages that time has made, forms altogether a scene too indeli- 
cate to be here described. I know not which ought to affect us 
most, the horror of so striking a sight, or the tender piety and 
affection of those poor people towards their departed friends. 

This strange festival is tlie most magnificent and solemn of any 
they have, not only on account of the great concourse of natives 
and strangers, and of the pompous re-interment they give to the 
dead, whom they dress in the finest skins they can get, after hav- 
ing exposed them for some time in this pomp, but for the games 
of all kinds which they celebrate upon the occasion, in the spirit 
of those which the ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated upon 
similar occasions. In this manner do they endeavour to sooth the 
calamities of this life, by the honours they pay to the dead. Though 
among these savage nations this custom is impressed with strong 
marks of the ferocity of their nature ; yet an honour to the dead, 
a tender feeling of their absence, and a revival of their memory, 
are some of* the most excellent means of softening our rugged 
nature into humanity. 

Though the women in America have generally the laborious 
part of economy upon themselves, yet they are far from being the 
slaves they i^ppear, and are not at all subject to the great subordi- 
nation, in which they are placed in countries where they seem to be 
more respected. On the contrary, they hold their councils, and 
bave their share in all deliberations that concern the state ; nor 
are they found inferior to the part they act. Polygamy is prac- 
tised by some nations, but it is not general. In most places, they 
content themselves with one wife ; but a divorce is admitted, and 
for the same causes that it was allowed among the Jews, Greeks, 
and Romans. No nation of the Americans is without a regular 
marriage, in which there are many ceremonies^ Incontinent be- 
fore marriage, after wedlock the chastity of their women is re- 
markable. The punishment of the adultress, as well as that of 
the adulturer, is in the hands of the husband himself, and it is- 
often severe, beihg inflicted by him who is at once the party and- 
the judge. Their marriages are not fruitful, seldom producing 
above two or three children ; and from hence we may derive the 
principal cause of the depopulation of America. 

The manner of their preparing for war, and their mode of carry- 
ing it on, seem peculiar to themselves. Almost the sole occupation 
of the American Indian is war, or such an exercise as qualifies him 
fbr it. His whole glory consists in this, and no man is at all con- 
sidered until he has increased the strength of his country with a 
captive, or adorned his hat with the scalp of one of his enemies. 
When the Indians resolve upon war, they do not always declare 
what nation it is they are determined to attack, that the enemy, 
upon whom they really intend to fall, may be off their guard -, and 



' NORTH AMERICA. 225 

they sometimes even let whole years pass over without committing 
any act of hostility, that the vigilance of all may be unbent by the 
long continuance of the watch, and the uncertainty of the danger. 
In the mean time, they are not idle at home. The principal 
captain summons the youths of the town to which he belongs,, 
the war-ketlle is set on the fire, the war songs and dances com- 
mence, the hatchet is sent to the villages and allies of the same 
nation, and the most hideous howlings continue, without intermis- 
sion, day and night, over the whole tract of country. The women 
add their cries to those of the men, lamenting those whom they 
have either lost in war or by natural death, and demanding their 
places to be supplied by their enemies. 

The fury of the nation being thus raised to the greatest height, 
and all longing to embrue their hands in blood, the war captain 
prepares the feast, which consists of dog's flesh. All that partake 
of this feast receive little billets, which are so many engagements 
they take to be faithful to each other, and obedient to their com- 
mander. None are forced to the war ; but, when they hare ac- 
cepted this billet, they are looked upon as enlisted, and it is then 
death to recede. All the warriors in this assembly have their 
faces blackened with charcoal, intermixed with dashes and streaks 
of Vermillion, which give them a most horrid appearance. Their 
hair is dressed up in an odd manner, with feathers of various kinds. 
In this assembly, which is preparatory to their military expedi- 
tion, the chief begins the war-song, which having continued for 
some time, he raises his voice to the highest pitch, and turning off ■ 
suddenly in a sort of prayer,^ he addresses himself to t!ie god of 
war, whom they call Areskoni. ** I invoke thee (says he) to be 
favourable to my enterprise ! I invoke thy care of me and my fam- 
ily ! I invoke ye likewise, all ye spirits and daemons good and evil I 
all ye that are in the skies, or on the earth, or under the earth, tQ 
pour destruction on our enemies, and to return me and my com- 
panions safely to my country !" All the warriors join him in his. 
prayer with shouts and acclamations. The captain renews his 
song, strikes his club against the stakes of the cottage, and begins 
the war-dance, accompanied with the shoutS of all his companions, 
wliich continue as long as he dances. 

On the day appointed for their departure, they take leave of their 
friends, and change their clothes, or what moveables they have, in 
token of friendship. Their wives and female relations go out be- 
fore them, and attend at some distance from the town. The war- 
riors march out all dressed in their finest apparel and most showy 
ornaments, regularly one after another, for they never march in 
jpank. Their chief walks slowly on before tlvem, singing the death- 
song, while the rest preserve the most profound silence. When 
they come up to the women, they deliver to them all their finery, 
put on their worst clothes, and then proceed as their commander 
directs. 

The Indians seldom engage in a war upon motives common to 
Europe : they have no other end but tlie gk>vy of victory, or the 



226 THE HISTORY OP 

benefit of their slaves, which it enables them to add to their nation, 
or sacrifice to thajr brutal fury ; and it is very seldom, that they 
take any pains to give their wars even a colour of justice. They 
fall sometimes on one nation, and sometimes on another, and sur- 
prise some of their hunters, whom they scalp and bring- home as 
prisoners. Their senators wink at this, or rather encourage it, as 
it tends to keep up the martial spirit of the people, enures them to 
watchfulness and hardships, and gives them an early taste for 
blood. The qualities of an Indian war are vigilance and attention, 
and to give and avoid a surprise ; and patience and strength to en- 
dure the intolerable fatigues and hardships which always attend it. 

They often enter-a village, while the strength of tlie nation is 
employed in hunting, and massacre all the helpless old men, wo- 
men, and children, or make prisoners of as many as they can man- 
age, or have strength enough to be useful to their nation. They 
often cut off small parties of men in their Imntings ; but when they 
discover an army of their enemies, their way is to throw them- 
selves flat on their faces among the withered leaves, the colour of 
which their bodies are painted exactly to resemble. They gener- 
ally let a part pass unmolested, and then, rising a little, they take 
^im, being excellent marksmen, and setting up a tremendous 
shout, which they call the war-cry, they pour a storm of musket 
bullets on the enemy, having long since laid aside th€ use of arrows. 
The party attacked returns the same cry. Every man in haste 
retires behind a tree, returns the fire of the adverse party, as soon 
as they raise themselves from the ground to give the second dis- 
charge. 

Havingfought some time in this manner, the party which thinks 
it has the advantage rushes out of its cover, with small axes in 
their hands, which they dart with great address and dexterity. 
They redouble their cry, intimidate their enemy with menaces, 
and encourage each other with a boastful display of their own 
brave actions. Thus, being come hand to hand, the contest is soon 
decided, and the conquerors satiate their lavage fuiy with the 
most shocking insults and barbarities to the dead, biting their 
flesh, tearing their scalps from their heads, and wallowing in their 
felood, like the wild beasts of the forests. 

The fate of their prisoners is indeed miserable. During the 
greater part of their journey homewards they suffer no injury ; but 
when they arrive at the territories of the conquering state, or at 
those of their allies, the people from every village meet them, and 
think they shew their attachment to their friends by the barbarous 
treatment of the unhappy victims ; who on their arrival at their 
destined staiion, generally bring with them marks of the most cruel 
and merciless treatment. 

The conquerors enter the town in triumph ; the war-captain 
waits upon the head-men, and in alow voice gives them a circum- 
stantial account of every particular of the expedition, of the dam- 
ages the enemy ha§ suffered, and his own loss in it. This being 
doae, the public orator relates the wholato the people, Before 



NORTH AMERICA. 2^7 

they yield to the joy which the victory occasions, they lament 
the friends they have lost in the pursuit of it. The parties most 
nearly concerned are apparently afflicted with a deep and real sor- 
row ; but, by one of those strang-e turns of the human mind, fash- 
ioned to anything by custom, as if they were disciplined in their 
grief, upon the signal for rejoicing, in a moment the tears are 
wiped from their eyes, and they rush into an extravagance and 
phrenzy of joy for their victory. All this time, the fate of the 
prisoners remains undecided, until the old men meet, and deter- 
mine concerning their distribution. 

It is usual to offer a slave to each house that has lost a friend, 
giving the preference according to the greatness of the loss. The 
person who has taken the captive attends him to the door of the 
party's cottage, where he delivers him, and with him gives a belt 
of wampum, te shew that he has fulfilled the purpose of the ex- 
pedition, in supplying the loss of a citizen. They for some time 
view the present that is made them, and according as they think 
him or her, for the sex matters not, proper or improper for the 
business of the family, or ?,s they take a capricious liking or dis- 
pleasure to the countenance of the victim, or in proportion to their 
natural barbarity, or their resentment for their losses, they decide 
whether they will receive him into the family, or sentence him to 
death. If they be received into the.family, happv is their lot, as 
they are then accepted into the place of father, son, or husband 
that is lost ; and they have no other mark of their captivity, but 
that of not being suffered to return to their own country, to attempt 
which would be certain death. On the contrary, if they dislike 
the captive, they thi*ow away the belt with indignation. Then it 
is no longer in the power of any one to ^ave him, the nation is as- 
sembled as upon some great solemnity, a scaffold is raised, and 
the prisoner tied to the stake. He instantly begins his death -song, 
and prepares for the ensuing scene of cruelty with the most un- 
daunted courage. On the other side, they prepare to put it to the 
utmost proof, with every torment that the mind of man ingenious 
in mischief can devise 

It would be too shocking for the ear of our youthful readers to 
be told what inhuman tortures are inflicted on him, till at last, one 
of the chiefs, out of compassion, or weary with cruelty, generally 
puts an end to his life with a club or dagger. The body is then 
put into a kettle, and this barbarous employment is succeeded by 
a feast equally inhuman. 

On this occasion, the women, forgetting their female nature, and 
transferring themselves into something worse than furies, act their 
parts, and even outdo the men in this scene of horror. The prin- 
cipal persons of the country set round the stake smoking, and look- 
ing on without the least emotion. What is most extraordinary, 
the sufferer himself, in the little intervals of liis torments, smoaks 
also, appears unconcerned, and converses with his torturers about 
indifferent matters. Indeed, during the whole time of his execution 
there seems aeontest between him and them, which shall exceeds 



228 THE HISTORY OF 

they in infllGtlng" the most horrid pains, or he in enduring them 
with a firmness and constancy alB^ost above human. Not a groan, 
not a sigh, not a distortion of countenance, escapes him ; he pos- 
sesses his mind entirely in tlie midst of hia torments ; he recounts 
his own exploits, informs them what cruelties he had inflicted upon 
their countrymen, and threatens them with the revenge that will 
attend his death ; and though his reproaches exasperate them to a 
perfect state of madness, rage, and fury, he continues his reproach- 
es even of their ignorance in the art of tormenting, pointing out 
himself more exquisite methods, and more sensible parts of the 
body to be afflicted. 

We do not dwell upon these circumstances of cruelty, which so 
much degrade human nature, out of choice ; but as all, who men- 
tion the customs of this people, have very particularly insisted upon 
their behaviour in this respect, and as it seems necessary, in order 
to give a true idea of their character, we do not choose wholly to 
omit it. It serves to shew, in the strongest light, to what an incon- 
ceivable degree of barbarity the passions of men let loose will carry 
them. It will point out to us the advantages of a religion that 
teaches a compassion to our enemies, which is neither known nor 
practised in other religions ; and it will make us more sensible, 
than some appear to be, of the value of commerce, the benefits of 
a civilized life, and the lights derived from literature, which, if 
they have abated the force of some of the natural virtues by the 
luxuries which attend them, have taken out likewise the sting of 
our national vices, and softened the ferocity of the human race, 
without enervating their courage. On the other hand, the con- 
stancy of the suflf'erers in this trying scene, shews the wonderful 
powers of an early institution, and a ferocious thirst of glory, which 
makes men imitate and exceed what philosophy, and even religion, 
do not produce. 

Having thus taken a cursory view of the customs and manners of 
the original natives of North America, we shall now proceed to give 
&» account of the first settlement of the British colonies, and shew 
from what small beginnings time has raised them to one immense 
republic, under the title of the United and Independent States of 
America. In order to accomplish this matter, we shall give a 
general history of the late war, which ended in the loss of thirteen 
British American colonies. The different sieges and battles that 
took place during that period, we shall describe as copiously as our 
narrow limits will permit us. 



CHAP. IX. 

oEVERAL of the most zealous and eminent protestants, in the 
reign of Edward VI. opposed the popish ceremonies and habits 
though likewise united to their brethren in religious tenets 



:nORTH AMERICA, 229 

Hundreds of them fled into foreign parts to avoid persecutions. 
"Where they connected themselves with protestants of other nations, 
who were equally arduous for a reformation. 

Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, in 1558, the l*efuge6s 
returned to England, loaded with experience and learning, but in 
the utmost distress and poverty, Those of the clergy, \vho could 
comply with the queen's establishment, were quickly preferred; 
but the rest, after being permitted to preach awhile„ were suspended 
and reduced to their former indigence. 

The clergy and laity, who wished for greater ecclesiastical purity, 
struggled hard for the abolishment of popish ceremonies and hab- 
its, or at least, leaving the Use of them rndiiferent in divine service, 
by which, they obtained nothing but the honourable nick -name of, 
PURITANS. X^ieen Elizabeth had enough of the blood of Henry 
the Eighth, to make her impatient of any opposition to her w^ill, 
especially in matters of religion, in which she had an high opinion 
of her own knowledge ; and, during her wholft reign, she kept 
down the puritans with an uniform and inflexible severity. The 
merits, however, of their sufferings, the affected plainness of theii' 
' dress, the gravity of their deportment, and tht use of scripture 
phrasses on the most ordinary occasions, and even their names, 
which had in them something striking and venerable, as being 
borrowed from the Old Testament, gained them a general esteem 
among sober people or ordinary understandings 

When King James came to the throne,he had a very fair opportu- 
nity of pacifying matters, or, at least, he might have left them ia 
the condition he found them. On the contrary, he suffered them to 
%e persecuted, but not destroyed ; they were exasperated, and yet 
left powerful ; and the then ministry, like those who lately lost us 
our colonies, exposed their own weakness, ignorance and baseness, 
by an ill timed severity. 

In this state matters remained, until the accession of Charles the 
First, when they were far from being mended. This prince, 
endowed with some virtues, had very few amiable qualities. As 
grave as the puritans themselves, he could never engage the 
licentious part of the world in his favour ; and that gravity being 
turned against the puritans, made him more odious to them, He 
gave himself up entirely to the church and churchmen, and he 
finished his ill-conduct, in this respect, by conferring the first 
ecclesiastical dignity of the kingdom, and a great sway in temporal 
affairs upon Dr. Laud, who, hardly fit to direct a college, was 
entrusted with the government of an empire. 

The nuvitans considered the most dreary realms, and the most 
unfrequented regions, where they could enjoy liberty of conscience^ 
as superior to the most splendid palaces, where they were to be 
governed by Laud In consequence of these disaffections, a little 
colony sailed from England, and established itself at a place called 
New Plymouthjon the continent of ii mericu. This happened in 1620. 

They were but few in number, they landed in a bad season, and 
ivere supplied only from their private funds. The winter was pre- 
U 



230 THE HISTORY OF 

mature, and extremely cold. The country was every where 
covered with wood, and afforded very little for the refreshment of 
persons sickly with such a voyage, or even for the sustenance of 
an infant people. Neaiiy half of them perished by the scurvy, 
by want, and the severity of the climate ; but those who survived, 
not dispirited with their losses, nor with the hardships they were 
still to endure, supported by the vig'our which was then the char- 
acter of Englishmen, and by the satisfaction of finding theniselves 
out of the reach of the spiritual arm, were enabled to pr -cure in 
this savage country a tolerable livelihood, and by degrees a 
comfortable subsistence for themselves and their families. 
. The people of New Plymouth, having cleared the way for other 
sufferers to settle in America, wit44 less difficulty and danger tban 
what they had experienced ; the fame of their plantation spreading 
through the western part of England, and the government in church 
and state growing every day more oppressive, the territory of the 
Massachusetts Ray was purchased of the Plymouth council^ in 
1628, and a company soon formed, who consulted on settling a 
plantation, to which non-conforming puritans might emigrate in 
order to enjoy their own principles in full security 

In 1630, a large company arrived at Sak-m, consisting of more 
than fifteen hundred persons, from dift'erent counties in England. 
From the beginning of the colony, until the emigration ceased, in 
1640, through a change of affairs in England, there arrived, in 
298 vessels, about 21,200 settlers, men, women, and children, or 
four thousand families. 

They did not, however, all confine themselves to this colony : 
several families removed to Connecticut River, by mutual 
agreement with their fellow emigrants, who remained behind. 
Plantations were formed at Hartford, Windsor, and Weathersfield. 
The inhabitants being soon after fully satisfied, that they were out 
of the Massachusetts limits, and of course its jurisdiction, entered 
into a. combination among themselves, became a body politic, 
without restraining the freedom of tiieir civil government to the 
membership of their churches, and proceeded to the choice of 
magistrates and representatives. 

Two large ships arrived at Massachusetts Bay, in 1637, with 
passengers from London. Great pains were taken to prevail upon 
them to remain in the colony ; but they hoped, by removing to a 
considerable distance, to be out of the reach of a general governor, 
with whom the country was then threatened They sent to their 
friends in Connecticut to purchase of the natives the lands lyit«g 
between them and Hudson's River. They then laid the foundation 
of a flourishing colony, of which New Haven was the capital. 
Connecticut and New Haven continued two distinct colonies for 
many years. At length, the general court of Connecticut deter- 
rri In ed to prefer an address and petition to Charles the Second, 
professing their subjection and loyalty to his majesty, and soliciting 
a royal charter ; and John Winthrop, Esq. who had be.en chosen 
g-oyernor, was appointed to negociate the affair with t!ie king. He 



NORTH AMERICA. 231 

succeeded, and a royal charter was obtained, constituting the two 
colonies for ever one body corporate and politic. 

Mr, Roger Williams, a pastor of the church of Salem, being 
banished from Massachusetts, on account of sorne religious dis- 
putes, went to the Narraganset country, accompanied with twelve 
companions, and had land given him by the Indian Sachem 
' GiivDnicus ; of whom he afterwards purchased the large tract, 
lying between Pavvtucket and Pawturat rivers, (the great falls and^ 
the little fiills, a? the Indian nanie signifies) a^nd siyledit Providence, 
from a sense of God's merciful providence to him in his distress. 

The authority and power of Miantonomy, another sachem, and 
his uncle Canonious, awed all the Indians round to assist him and 
his few associates. When the determinations of the Massachusetts 
general court, occasioned by what they called antinomian disputes, 
banished many, and induced others to leave the colony, the heads 
of the party were entertain hI in a friendly manner by Mr. Williams, 
who advised them to seek a settiem^ent on Rhode Island, in the 
year 1638, and was very instrumental in procuring, it of the Indian 
sachems. 

New Hampshire and Malnie were settled about the same time 
with Massachusetts, by different proprietors, who had obtained 
patents, and whose views were to enrich themselves by the fishing 
trade at sea, and tlie beaver trade ashore. 

The colony of New York dem^ands our next attention. The 
Dutch had settled it, and named it the New Netherlands. Charles 
the Second resolved upon its conquest in 1664 : and in March 
granted to his brother, the Duke of York, the region extending 
from the western bank of the Connecticut to the eastern shore of. 
the Deleware, together with Long Island, conferring on him the 
civil and military powers of government. Col. Nichols was sent 
with four frigates and three hundred soldiers, to effect the business. 
The Dutch governor being unable to make resistance, the New 
Netherlands submitted to the English crown, in September, 
without any other change than of rulers. Few of the Dutch 
removed, and Nicliols instantly entered upon the excercise of' 
his power, as deputy-governor for the Duke of York, the pro- 
prietary. 

About the same time, 1664, New Jersey, which was also taken 
fro-m the Dutch, who were <;onsidered as having no right to any 
of their settlements in these parts of America, were included in the 
^ grant to the Duke of York. The Duke disposed of it to Lord 
Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, who, being sole proprietors, for 
the better settlement of it, agreed upon certain constitutions of 
government, so well liked, that the eastern parts were soou 
considerably peopled. 

Virginia was the original name of all the English North American 
continental claims, given in honour to the virgin Queen Elizabeth 
King James, being applied to, granted letters patent to a body of 
Gentlemen, on the 6th of April, 1606, with powers to divide 
themselves into two distinct companies, the one consisting of 



.^2 THE HISTORY OE 

London a dv€ntarer», called the first, or soutliern colony of Virginia^ 
the second, or northern colony, composed of merchants, belonging, 
to Bristol, Plymouth, and £xeter. The territory granted to the 
first, or southern colony, was generally called FjV^z»z<7, .without any 
distinguishing epithet, and retained that name after the second, 
or northern colony, obtained the name of New England in 1614. 

We come next to speak of Maryland. The first emigration to 
this part of America consisted of two hundred Gentlemen of 
considerable fortune and rank, with their adherents, chiefly Roman 
Catholics, who hoped to enjoy liberty of conscience under a 
proprietary of their own profession. They sailed from England in 
November, and landed in- Maryland the beginning of 1633. Gov. 
Calvert, brother to Lord Baltimore, ve)*y wisely and justly purchased' 
by presents of various goods, the rights of the Indians, and with 
their free conseat took possession of their town, which, he called' 
St. I^Iary's. The country was settled with so much ease, and 
furnished with so many conveniences, that emigrants repaired 
thither in such numbers as soon to render the colony populous and. 
flourishing. 

Carolina fjllows Maryland in the order of existence. A few 
adventurers emigrated from Massachusetts, and settled round 
Cape Fear, about the time of the Restoration, They considered 
mere occupancy, with a transfer from the natives, without any 
grant from the king, as a good, title to the lands they possessed. 
They deemed themselves entitled to the same civil privileges^ at 
those of the country from ^Whence they had emigrated. For years, 
they experienced the coraplicated miseries of want. They solicited 
the aid of their countrymen, and the general court of Massachusetts^ 
with an intention and humanity which did it the greatest honour,, 
ordered ancxtensive contribution for their relief 

The final settlement of the province was effected eqiially through 
the rapacity of the courtiers of Charles the Second, and his own 
facility in rewarding those, to whom he was greatly indebted, with 
a liberality that cost him little. The pretence, which had been 
\ised on former occasions, of a pious zeal for the propagation of the 
gospel among the Indians, was successively employed to procure a 
grant of the immense region, lying between the 36th degree of 
North latitude, and the river of St. Matheo, under the 31st degree. 
In March 1663, this territory was erected into a province by the 
name of Caro/j'nc!, and conferred on Lord Clarendon, the Duke of 
Albermarle, Lord Craven, Lord Berkeley, LoM Ashley, Sir 
George Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, as 
absolute lord proprietaries, for ever, saving the allegiance due to 
the crown. 

Pennsylvania and the Delaware counties next demand our 
attention. Mr. William Penn, one of the joint purchasers of the 
western part of the Jerseys, having received the most exact 
information of the country to the westward of the Delaware, while 
engaged in the administration of the joint purchase, became 
desirous of acquiring a separate estate. 



NORTH AMERICA^ 233 

He presented a petition to Charles the Second in Jane, 1680, 
stating not only his relationship to the late admiral, but that he 
was deprived of a debt due fr©m the crown, when the Exchequer 
was sh,ut. He prayed for a grant of lands, lying to the northward 
of Maryland, and westward of the Delaware ; and added, that by 
his interest, he should be able to settle a province, which might 
in time, repay his claims. Having a prospect of success, he copied 
from the charter of Maryland, the sketch of a patent, which in 
November was laid before the attorney-general for his opinion. 

Penn had the same object in view as Lord Baltimore had, the 
guarding against the exertions of prerogative, which experience 
had taught both were very inconvenient. The attorney -general 
declared the cause of exemption from taxation illegal i and chief 
justice North being of the same opinion, and observing its tenden- 
cy, added the saving of the authority of the English parliament ; 
so that it was stipulated by the king, for himself and his succes- 
sors, that ** no custom or other contribution shall be laid on the in- 
habitants or their estates, unless by the consent of the proprietary, 
or governor and assembly, or by act of parliament in England." 

The next year, 1681, the patent was granted, in consideration of 
** the merits of the father, and the good purposes of the so%-ia 
order to extend the English Empire, and to promote useful com- 
modities." It was provided by fit clauses, that the sovereignty of 
the king should be preserved, and that acts of parliament, 
concerning trade, navigation, and the customs be duly observed. 
Penn was empowered to assemble the freemen, or their delegates, 
in such a forni as he should think proper for raising money for the 
use of the colony, and for making useful laws, not contrary to those 
of England, or the rights of the kingdom. A duplicate of the acts 
of the assembly was to be transmittted within five years, to the king 
in council, and the acts might be declared void withing six months, 
if not approved, 

It now remains only to give a concise account of the settlement 
of Georgia. 

In 1732, a number of Gentlemen considering the vast benefit 
that might arise from the tract of land, lying between the Savannah 
and the river Alatsmaha, petitioned tlie king for a charter, which, 
was according-ly granted in June. They meant, that the country 
should be made a bulwark for the southern colonies against the 
Spaniards, and should give employment to numbers of people, who 
were burthensojeie at home to tbtir friends and parishes. 

Towards the end of August, Sir Gilbert Heathcote recommended 
in the strongest terras, to the directors of the Bank, the interest of 
the colony. His speech had the desired eflTect, and the members 
of the court after his example, contributed largely towards the 
undertaking, as did great numbers of the nobility, gentry, clergy 
and others; and the parliament granted 10,0001. By the beginning 
of November, about one hundred and sixteen colonists presented 
themselves, most of them labouring people, and were funiish.ecl 
with working tools of all kinds, stores, and small arms. 

^ y 2 ' 



234 ~ • THE HISTORY OF 

Mr. Oglethorpe, one of the trustees, generously attended the first 
set of emigrants to Carolina, where they arrived in good health in 
January, 1733. The Carolians n>ade them a present of one 
hundred breeding- cattle, besides hogs and twenty barrels of rice; 
and furnished them with a party of horse, and with scout boats, by 
the help of which they reached the Savannah, where Mr. 
Oglethorpe, ten miles up the river, pitched upon a spot for a town, 
and in^February the building of the first house commenced. 

Mr, Oglethorpe was waited upon by a numerous deputation front 
tke I^iower Creek nation, with whom he concluded a treaty, and 
soon after set out for Charleston on his return to England, bring- 
ing with him several chiefs and a war captain. Before the end of 
March, 1734, more emigrants, to the amount of six hundred, were 
either sent over by charity, or ivent at their own expense. 

In October, the Indians embarked for their own country, having 
had an allowance, while in London, of twenty pounds a week^ 
of which they cpent little, as they commonly ate and drank at the 
table of persons of the highest distinction. They embarked at 
Gravesend, in a ship which carried over a number of Saltz burgh- 
ers, being German protestants, who, with others of their country- 
men that followed, settled on the Savannah, a town they called 
Ebenezer, and which, by their habits of industry and sobriety, 
soori became considerable. 

The Georgians made a surpi'ising progress in clearing their 
lands, and building their houses ; and, as an encouragement, the 
British Parliament granted them a supply of 26,0001. which, with 
very great private donations, were expended upon strengthening 
the southern part of Georgia. 

Thus have we given a succinct account of the first establishment 
of the British colonies in North America. By what unhappy 
means they at last became separated from the mother country, will 
be clearly shewn in the subsequent part of this history. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDED IN THIS CHAPTER. 

1606 First settlement tnade at Virginia. 

< 1620 Settlement at New Plymouth. 

1628 JVew Ham.pshire and Maine settled. 

1628 Puritans purchase and settle Massachusetts Bay,. 

1633 Settlement at Maryland. 

1635 Coimecticut and Providence settled. 

1637 Ne-TX) Haven settled. 

1638 Settlement of Rhode Isla7id. 

1663 Carolina settled. 

1664 New York and Nevi Jersey settled. 

1681 Pennsylvania and Vdaviare counties settled* 
1733 Georgia settled. 



NORTH AMERICA. 235 



CHAP. III. 



i HE narrow limits prescribed to us in this epitome, will not 
permit us to enter into a copious detail of all the minute concerns 
pf the colonies, which may be found in more voluminous works, 
and there read by those, who have leisure and inclination to pur- 
sue so dry a study. We shall therefore proceed to describe only 
events of some consequence. • 

' News being" received in Massachusetts of war being de«> 
dared against France and Spain, the g-eneral court, then sitting, 
made immediate provision for raising forces for Annapolis in Nova 
Scotia. 

Towards the end of the month of Aprils 1745, Commodore War- 
ren arrived from the West Indies, with a sixty-gun ship, and two 
of forty. He was soon after joined by another of forty, -which had 
reached Canso a short time before The men of war sailed imme- 
diately to cruise before Louisbourg. The forces soon followed, 
and landed at Chapeaurouge Bay the last day of April. The 
transports Were discovered from the town early in the morning, 
which gave the inhabitants the first knowledge of the design. 

The second day after landing, four hundred men marched round, 
behind the hills, to the northeast harbour, where they got about 
midnight, and set fire to all the dwellings and storehouses, till 
they came within a mile of the grand battery. The clouds of 
thick smoke, proceeding from the pitch, tar, and other combusti- 
bles, prevented the garrison's discovering the enemy, though they 
were but at a short distance. 

They expected the body of the army upon them, and therefore 
deserted the- fort, having thrown their powder into a well t but the 
cannon and shot were left, which proved of great service to the 
besiegers. The army had near two miles to transport their can- 
non, mortars, &c. through a morass, which required great labour 
to accomplish. The men were yoked together, and, during- the 
night, made great advances. 

While the forces were busily employed on shore, tjie men of 
war, and other vessels were cruising off the harbour, as often as 
the weather would permit. On the 18th of May, they captured a 
French sixty -four gun ship, having five hundred and sixty men on 
board, and stores of all sorts for the garrisoij. 

It was given out, that an attack would be made by sea with the 
ships, on the eighteenth, while the army did the like by land. 
Whether a general storm was really intended or not, the French 
appeared to expect it, from the preparations making on board the 
men of war, and seemed not inclined to attempt to withstand it, 

On the fifteenth, a flag of truce was sent to the general, desiring 
a cessation of hostilities, that they might consider of articles for 
a capitulation. Time was allowed, but their articles were reject- 
ed by the general and commodore, and others offered, wlugh wer^ 



2S6 THE HISTORY OF 

accepted by the French, and hostag-es given on both sides. The 
town was in consequence delivered up on the seventeenth. As this 
was a time, when vessels were expected from all parts at Louis- 
bourg, the French flag- was kept flying as a decoy. Two EastJn- 
diJimen, and one South-sea ship, of the value of 600,0001. sterling, 
were taken by the squadron^ at the mouth of the harbour, into 
which they sailed as usual, not knowing that the place had been 
taken by the English. 

The French having heen very troublesome In the back settle- 
ments of our colonies, it was concluded to take effectual methods 
to drive them from the Ohio. The reduction of Niagara, Crown 
]?oint, and their forts in Nova Scotia, were also resolved on. Gen- 
eral Braddeck was accordingly sent from Ireland to Virginia, with 
two regiments of foot ; and on his arrival, when joined by the rest 
of the forces destined for that service, he found himself at the head 
of 2,200 men. He had bravery, but wanted other qiialifications to 
render him fit for the service to which he was appointed. The 
seventy of his discipline made him unpopular among the regulars, 
ard his haughtiness deprived him of the esteem of the Americans. 
His pride disgusted the Indians, and led him to despise the coun- 
try militia, and to slight the advice of the Virginian officers. 

Colonel Washington earneslAy begged of him, when the arniy 
was marching to fort Du Quesne, to admit of his going before, 
and scouring the woods with his rangers> which was ^contemptu- 
ously refused. The general had been cautioned by the Duke of 
Cumberland to guard against a surprise, and yet he pushed on 
heedlessly with the first division, consisting of 1400 men, till he 
fell into an ambuscade of 400, chiefly Indians, by whom he was 
defeated and mortally wounded, on the ninth of July, 1755. 

The regulars were put to the greatest panic, and fled in the ut- 
most confusion ; but the militia had been used to Indian fighting, 
and were not so terrified. The general had disdainfully turned 
them into the rear, where they continued in a body unbroken, and 
served under Colonel Washington as a most useful rear-guard, 
which covered the retreat of the regulars, and prevented their be- 
ing entirely cut to pieces. 

Previous to this, and agreeable to the views of the British min- 
istry, the Massachusetts assembly raised a body of troops, uhich 
were sent to Nova Scotia, to assist Lieutenant Governor Lawrence 
in driving the French from their several encroachments within 
that province. 

The expedition against Niagara was entrusted to Governor Shir- 
ley, but failed through various causes. 

Sir William, then Colonel, Johnson, v *s appointed to go against 
Crown Point. The delays, slowness, and deficiency of prepara- 
tion, prevented the several colonies joining their troops till about 
August. In the mean time, the active enemy had transported 
forces from France to Canada, marched them down to meet the 
provincials, and attacked them ; but, meeting v. ith a repulse, lost 
six hundred men, besides having their generai Baron X)i€skau 
wounded and mude prisoner. 



NORTH America. 23r 

Tfie next year Massachusetts raised a great armament to go 
against Crown Point; but Lord Loudon, on his arrival, did not 
think it proper that the forces should proceed, owing, to a tempora- 
ry misunderstanding between his Lordship and the general court. 
In the year 1758, happily for the British nation, the great Mr. 
Pitt was placed at the head of the ministry, when the face of af- 
fairs was soon changed, the war was prosecuted with unexampled 
success, and the enemy was at length driven out of America. 

Mr. Israel Mauduit,the Massachusetts agent, in 1763, gave early 
notice of the ministerial intentions^ to tax the colonies; but the 
general court not being called together till the latter efjd of the 
) ear, instructions to the agent, though solicited by him, could not 
be sent in proper time. ' 

The next year however, 1764, the house of representatives came- 
to the following resolutions : " That the sole right of giving and 
granting the money of the people of that province, was vested in 
them as their legal representatives r and that the imposition of 
duties and taxes by the parliament of Great Britain, .upon a peo- 
ple who are not represented in the House of Commons, is absolutely 
irreconcileable with their rights." — " That no maa can justly take 
the property of another without his consent ; upon whicli. original 
principle, the right of representation in the same body, which ex- 
ercises the power of making laws for levying taxes, one of the maiii = 
pillars of the British constitution is evidently founded." 

These resolutionsr were occasioned^ by intelligence of what had: 
been done in the British House of Commons. It had been tiiere de-- 
bated in March, whether they had bright to tax the Americans, they 
not being represented, and determined unanimously in the affirma- 
tive;. Not a single person present ventured to controvert the right. 
After various propositions for taxing the colonies, Mr. Gren- 
ville's intended stamp act was communicated to the American 
agents. Many of them did not oppose it, half their number be- 
ing placemen or dependents on the ministry. Mr. Joseph, Sher- 
wood, an honest Quaker, agent for Rhode Island, refused his con- 
sent to America's being taxed by a British parliament Mr. Mau- 
duit, the Massachusetts agent, favoured the raising of the wanted 
money by a stamp duty, as it would occasion less expense of offi- 
cers, and would include the West India islands. The scheme, 
however, was postponed, and the agents authorised to inform the 
American assemblies, that they were at liberty to suggest any 
other ways of raising monies, and that Mr. Grenville was ready to 
receive proposals for any other tax that might be equivalent in its 
produce to the stamp.-tax. The colonies seemed to consider it as 
an affront, rather than as a compliment. The minister would not 
be content with any thing short of a certain specific sum, and pro- 
per funds for the piayment of it. Hai not the sums been answera- 
hie to his wishes, he would have rejected them ; and he would 
Scarcely have been satisfied with less than 300,0001, per annum, 
which was judged absolutely necessary to defray the whole expense 
of \hQ army proposed for the defence of America. 



2SS- THE HISTORY OF 

No satisfactory proposals being made on the side of the Ameri^- 
catis, Mr Grenville adhered to his purpose of bringing forward 
the stamp-bill, though repeatedly pressed by some of his friends 
to desist. Richard Jackson, esq. had been chosen agents for the 
Massachusetts, who, with Mr. Franklin, and others, lately come 
from Philadelphia, waited on Mr. Grenville, in February, 1765, to 
remonstrate against the starpp-bill, and to propose, that, in case 
any tax must be kid upon America, the several colonies might be 
permitted to lay the tax themselves, Mr. Grenville, however, ad- 
hered to liis own opinions, and said, that he had pledged his word 
for offering the stamp-bill to the house, and that the house would 
hear their objections. 

The bill was accordingly brought in, and in March, the same 
year, received the royal assent. The framers of the stamp-act 
flattered themselves, that the confusion which would arise from, 
the disuse of writings, would compel the colonies to use stamp-pa- 
per, and therefore to pay the taxes imposed; Thus they were led 
to pronounce it a law which would execute itself 

Mr. Grenville,. however, was not without his apprehensions, that 
it might occasion disorders; to preveiit or suppress which, he 
projected another hilly which was brought in the same sessions, 
whereby it was made lawful for military ofiicers in the colonies to 
qitarter their soldiers in private houses. This seemed intended 
to awe the people into a compliance with the other act. Great 
opposition being made to it, as under such a power in the army, 
no one eould look on his house as hiS; own, that part of the bill was 
dropt ; but there still remained a clause, when it passed into a law, 
to oblige the several assemblies to provide quarters for the sol- 
diers, and to furnish them with firing, bedding, candles, small 
beer, rum, and sundry other articles, at the expense of the several 
provinces-. This clause continued in force after the stamp-act was 
repealed. 

These proceedings of the .mother country gave rise to great dis- 
turbances in America. Some persons of consequence at Boston,. 
to manifest their abhorrence and detestation of a party in England^ 
who they supposed were endeavouring to subvert the British con- 
stitution, to enslave the colonies, and to alienate the affections of 
his majesty's most faithful subjects in America, early in the morn- 
ing of the 14th of August, hung upon the limb of a large dead 
elm, near the entrance of Boston, in one of the most public streets, 
two eihgies. One of them, as appeared by the labels affixed 
thereto, was intended to i*epresent the stamp officer ; the other 
was a jack-boot, \a ith a head and horns peeping out of the top. 

The report of this novelty drew great numbers from every part 
of the town and neighbouring country. This affair was left to take 
its own course, so'Q;iat an enthusiastic spirit diffused itself into 
the minds of the spectators. !n the evening, the figures were cut 
down, and carried In funeral procession, the populace shouting, 
X^iberty and property fore'Ofr ! No stamps, i^c. 



NORTH AMERICA. 239 

They then went to anew building-, erected by Mr. Oliver, which. 
they pulled down, fals'::'lv supposing it to be designed for the stamp 
offic.i As soon as tiie approHched iMr. Oliver's house, they be- 
headed the effigy, at ttie same time brt-aking all his windows, and 
demolished his gardens, fences, barns, and every thing else that 
cane in tiieir w:sy. 

The next day, Mr. Oliver, fearful of what might happen, de- 
clared that he had written to England and resigned The nriob 
assembled ^-lia at night ; and after some expressions of jnv for 
the * C5i.i;!ia io : ;'<r oc eded to the li^.'^euant governor's, Mr .Hutch- 
inson's hciis- ,, v/hich they besieged for an hour, but in vain ; insist- 
ing repeatedly upon knowing, vvhether he had not written in favour 
of the stamp-act. 

These disorders grew every day more «norraous and alarming. 
Mobs once raised, soon became ungovernable by new and large 
accessions, and (^^jctcnd their intentions far beyond those of the 
original instigators. Crafty men may intermix with them, when 
they are much heated, and direct their operations very differently 
from what was at first designed. 

People in England were differently affected by the disturbances 
in the colonies. Some were for supporting the authority of 
parliament at all events, and for enforcing the stamp-act, if needful, 
witli the point of the sword ; while others were for quieting the 
colonies by the repeal of it. Happily for them, Mr. Grenville and 
his party were thrown out of place, and were succeeded by the 
Marquis of Rockingham, when, on 22d of February, 1766, this 
obnoxious act was repealed. 

In May, 1767, Mr. Charles Townsend, then chancellor of the 
Exchequer, moved the House of Commons for leave to bring- m 
bills for granting a duty upon paper, ghiss, painter's colours, &c. in 
the British American Colonies ; for settling salaries on the 
governors, judges, &c. in North America ; and for taking off" the 
duties on teas exported to America, and granting a duty of 
threepence a pound on the importation in America. Two bills 
were at length framed, and in June and July received the royal 
assent. 

These acts occasioned fresh disturbances in America, wliere 
matters were carried to a greater height than before. In 
consequence of this, Lord Hillsborough wrote to General Gage, 
in June, 1768, to send troops to Boston, in order to preserve the 
peace of that town. 
.The introduction of troops into Boston was attended with verv 
serious consequences. The inhabitants became exceedingly 
riotous, and some of the rabble pushed their ill conduct so far, as to 
oblige the soldiers to fire, on them in their own defence. This 
happened <m the 5th- of March, 1770, when three persons were 
killed, five dangerously wounded, and a few slightly. 

This was fiir from removing the evil, and only tended to widen 
the breacn. Under the notion of zeal for liberty, tlie rabble ran in- 
to the most excessive licentiousness^ and were eye-ry where guilty of 



-240 THE HISTORY :0F 

.the most lawlessi unjust, and tyrar.nical proceedings, pulliiv^^oAfn 
houses, destroying the property of every one Ihat had fallen 
under their displeasure, and delivering- prisoners out of the hands 
of justice. 

Let us now turn our attention to see what was doing in the mean 
time, at home. The supporting the aithcrity of parliament was 
the only cause assigned by the minister hitDself for retaining the 
tea-duty, at the very Hme ^'hen h< acknowledged it to be as. 
anti -commercial a tax as any of those that had been repealed upon 
that principle. 

The East India company, eelirig the bad effects of the colonial 
-smuggling trade, in the large quantities <-'ftea, which remained 
in their v/arehous«'S unsold, requested tiie repeal of the three-pence^ 
per pound in America, and offered that, on its being complied with 
government should retain six-pence in the pound on the exportation. 
Thus the company presented the happiest opportunity that could 
have been offered for honourably removing the cause of difference 
with America. This afforded tn opening for doing justice, without 
infringing the claims on either side Theminister was requested 
and entreated, by a gentleman of great weight in the company, 
and a member of parliament, to embrace the opportuniiy ; but it 
was obstinate!) re^jected. 

New contrivances were set on foot to introduce the tea, ^tended 
with the three-penny duty, into all the colonies Various intrigues 
and solicitations were used to induce the Ei«st-India company to 
undertake this rash and foolish business It was protested against 
as contrary to the principle of tlie company's monopoly ; but the 
power of the ministry prevailed, and the insignificant three-penny 
duty on tea was doomed to be the fatal bone of contention between 
Great Britain and her colonies. The company at least adopted 
the system, and became their own factors. They sent 600 chests 
^of tea to Philadelphia, the liki- quantity to New York and Boston, 
besides what was consigned to other places- Several ships were 
• also freighted for different colonies, and agents appointed for the 
disposal of the commodity. 

In the mean time, the colonists, who well knew what had passed 
in the mother country, were concerting measures to counteract the 
views of the British ministry. Soon after the arrival of the tea-ships 
at Boston, a number of persons, chiefly ^masters of vessels and 
ship-builders from the njorth end of the town, about seventeen in 
number, dressed as Indians, went on board the ships, and in about 
two hours hoisted out of them, and broke open 342 chests of tea, 
the contents of which they emptied into the sea They were not 
in the least molested ; for the multitude of spectators on the wharf 
served as a. covering party The whole business was conducted 
with very little tumult, and no damage was done to the vessels or 
any other property When the business was finished, the people 
returned quietly to their ov,n t wns and. habitations. 

These and other decisive procc t (iingsof the Bostohians induced 
.the British ministry to bring a bill into parliameriJ;, "for the im» 



NORTH AMERICA. 241 

'suediate removal of the officers concerned in the collection of the 
customs at Boston, and to discontinue the landing and discharg-- 
ing", lading and shipping- of goods, wares and merchandises, at 
Boston, or within the harbour thereof." On the 31st of March, 
l^r^, the bill received the royal assent. 

Other bills were passed by the British parliament, brought 'n\ 
by Lord North, all tending to punish the Americans, and the Bos- 
tonians in particular, for their refractory behaviour. Petitions 
were sent over from Americas and several of the members of both 
houses reprobated tliese severe and dangerous proceedings ; but 
no regard was paid either to the petitions, or to the remonstrances 
of the minority in both houses. The then ministry, at the head of 
which was Lord North, were determined to accept from the Ame- 
xicans of nothing short of absolute and implicit obediance to the 
laws of taxation. On the other hand, the people of Massachusetts 
Bay, supported and spurred on by the other colonies, were deter- 
mined not to submit, and prepared to repel force by force. They 
collected all the arms they could, and spent much of their time iu 
the exercise of them. 

These proceedings of the people, and their manifest disposition 
to resistance, alarmed the general, who thought it necessary, for 
the safety of the troops, as well as to secure the important post of 
Boston, to fortify the entrance at the neck, which afTorded the only 
communication, except by water, between the town and the conti- 
nent. 

In England, petitions were presented from the merchants of 
London, and almost all the trading towns in the kingdom ; and Mn 
-BoUan, Dr. Franklhi, and Mr, Lee, also presented petitions from 
the American congress ; but governmeat treated them with indif- 
ference and contempt. 

Lord Chatham persevered in the prosecution of his conciliatory 
scheme with America, and accordingly brought into the house of 
lords the outlines of a bill, which he hoped would answer that sal- 
utary purpose ; but the ministry rejected it. At the same time. 
Lord North gave a sketch of the measures he intended to pursue, 
which were to send a greater force to America, and to bring in a 
temporary act to put a stop to all the foreign trade of the different 
colonies of New-England, particularly their fisheiy on the banks of 
Newfoundland, till they returned to their duty. 

While matters were thus going on at home, Gen. Gage, at Bos- 
ton, received intelligence that cannon and carriages were depf?sit- 
ed in the neighbourood of Salem. He accordingly sent a body of 
troops from the castle to seize them ; but the Americans found 
time to get them away, and the troops returned without effecting* 
-any thing. 

A skirmish having- happened at Lexington, between the king's 
troops and a party of the militia, gen. Gage no sooner received this 
intelligence, than he detached lord Percy to Concord, with six- 
teen companies of foot, and a number of marines, 900 men in the 
whole, and two pieces of cannon, to support col. Smith. 

W 



242' THE HISTORY OF 

The junction of the brig-ade under lord Percy, with the detncli- 
mcnt under col. Smith, g-ave the last a breathing time, especially as 
they now had cannon, which awed the provincials from pressing 
upon the rear in a direct line ; but the whole force did not venture 
to halt long, as the minute men and militia were every where col« 
lecting, in order to cut off their retreat to Boston. They soon re- 
newed their march, constant skirmishing succeeded, and a continu- 
al fire, though often irregular and scattering on their side, as well 
as on the part of the provincials. The close firing from behind the 
walls, by good marksmen, for such were almost all the provincials, 
put the troops into no small confusion, and made it so dangerous 
for the officers, that they were more attentive to their safety than 
common. The regulars, when near Cambridge, were upon the 
point of taking a wrong road, which would have led them into the 
most imminent danger ; but were prevented by the direction of a 
young gentleman residing at college. They made good their re- 
treat a little after sunset over Charlestown neck to Bunker's hill, 
but spent and worn down by the excessive fatigues they had un- 
dergone, having marched that day between thirty and forty miles. 
Here they remained secure till the next day, when they crossed 
at Charlestown ferry and returned to Boston. In this skirmish, 
the regulars had 65 killed, 180 wounded, and 28 made prisoners. 
The provincials had 50 men killed, thirty four wounded, and four 
missing. 

Let us now return to the mother country, where the restraining 
and fishery bill met with great opposition in both houses of parlia- 
jnent. The fishery bill had scarcely cleared the house of com- 
jnons, when lord North brourght in another, to restrain the trade 
and commerce of the colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary- 
land, Virginia, and South Carolina, to Great Britain, Ireland, and 
the British islands in the West-indies, under certain conditions 
and limitations. 

The British ministry did not confine themselves to the making of 
laws ; they also sent out against the Americans generals Howe, 
Clinton, and Burgoyne, who left England on the 28th of May ; and 
in about a week afterwards, transports laden witU troops sailed 
from Cork, to reinforce gen. Gage. 



KEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDEC IN THIS CHAPTER. 



If 45 JSxJjedition of Louts bour^. 

1755 General Braddock defeated. 

1764 Massachusetts assembly declare against parliamentary taxes. 
X('65 The stainp-act passed — Riots at Boston on account of that acf^ 
1766 The stamp -act repealed. 

3.767 Mr. Charles To'-ccnsend taxes the colonies asain^ 

1765 Treops orslereff to Bostm' 



N'ORTH AMERICA. 24S 

1770 Soldiers at Baton f re on the inhabitatits. 

1773 The East-India company empo'wered to export their o%vn teas. 
The tea thrown into the sea at Boston. 

1774 The Massachusetts people prepare to defend their rights by arms . 
General Gage fortifies the entrance into Boston. 

1775 Gen. Gage sends troops to Salem Skirmishes at Concord and 
Lexington. The restraining bills passed in England. The gen-^ 
erals JIcivc, Clinton and Bourgoyne, sail for Boston. 



CHAP. IV. 

I HE necessity of securing Tlconderoga was early attended to by 
many in New-England. Gen. Gage had set the example of attempt-- 
ing to seize upon military stores, and by so doing liad commenced 
hostilities, so that retaliation appeared warrantable. 

Col. Allen was at Castleton, with about 270 men ; 230 of which- 
were Green Mountain Boys, so called from their residing within the 
limits of the Green Mountains, the Hampshire grants being so de- 
nominated from the range of green mountains that run through 
them. Sentinels were placed immediately on all the roads, to pre- 
vent any intelhgence being carried to Ticonderoga. 

Col. Arnold^ who now joined coL Allen, reported, that there were 
at Ticonderoga, 80 pieces of hea\7 cannon, 20 of brass, from four 
to eighteen pounvlers, ten or a dozen mortars, a number of small 
arms, and considerable stores; that the fort was in a ruinous con- 
dition, and, as he supposed, garrisoned by about forty men. It was 
then settled, that col. Allen should have the supreme command, 
and col. Arnold was to be his assistant. 

Col. Allen, with his 230 Green Mountain Boys, arrived at Lake 
Ghamplain, opposite to Ticonderoga, on the ninth of May, at night. 
Boats were with difficulty procured, when he and col. Arnold cros- 
sed over with 83 men, and landed near the garrison. The two colo- 
nels advanced along side each other, and entered the port, leading 
to the fort, in the grey of the morning. A sentry snapped his fu- 
see at col. Allen, and then retreated through the covered way to 
the parade. The main body of the Americans then followed, and 
drew up. Capt. de la Place, the commander, was surprised in btd. 
Thus was the place taken wrthout any bloodshed. 

On the I5th of June 1775, the congress proceeded to choose by 
feallot a general to command all the continental forces, and George 
Washington Esq. was unanimously elected. 

The next day, orders were issued by the Americans, for a de- 
tachment of a thousand men, to march at evening, and entrench 
upon Bunker's Hill, By some mistake. Breed's hill, high and 
large like the other, but situated on the furthest part of the penin- 
sula, next to Boston, was marked out for the entrenchment instead 
of Bunker's. The provincials proceeded therefore to Breed's hill^ 



244 THE HISTORY OF 

but were prevented going" to work till near twelve o'clock at night, 
when tliey pursued their business with the utmost diligence and 
alacrity ; so that, by the dawn of the day, they bad thrown up a 
small redoubt, about eight rods squai'e. Such was the extraordi- 
nary silence that reigned among* them, that they were not heard by 
the Btitish on board their vessels in tlie neighbouring- waters. The 
sight of tlie works was tl)e first notice that the Lively man of war 
had of them, when the captain began firing upon them about four 
in the nsornmg. 

The guns called the town of Boston, the camp, and the fleet, ta^ 
behold a novelty, which v/as little espected. The prospect obljgecP 
the British generals to alter the plan they intended to have pursu- 
ed the next day. They grev/ weary of being cooped up in Boston, 
and had resolved upon making themselves masters of Dorchester 
heights ; but the present provincial movement prevented the expe- 
dition. They were now called to attempt possessing themselves of" 
Breed's hill, on which the provincials continued working, notwith- 
star.ding a heavy fire from the enemy's ships, a number of floating- 
butteries, a:sd a fortification upon Cop's hill in Boston, directly op- 
posite to the little American redoubt. An incessant shower of shot- 
and bombs was poured by tlie batteries upon the American works, 
and yet but one man was killed. 

The Americans continued labouring indefatigably till they had 
thrown up a small breast-work, extending from the east side of the 
redoubt to the bottom of the hill ; but they were prevented com- 
pleting it from the intolerable fire of the enemy. By some unac- 
countable error, the detachment, which had been working for hours 
was neither relieved, nor supplied with refreshments, but were left 
to engage under these disadvantages. 

Between twelve and pne o'clock, and the day exceedingly hot, a 
nuntiher of boats and barge^, filled with regular troops from Bos- 
ton, approached Charlestown, when the men were landed at More- 
ton's point. They consisted of four battalions, two companies of 
grenadiers, and ten of light infantry, with a proportion of field ar- 
tillery ; but, by some oversight, their spare cartridges were much 
too big for them : so that, when the Americans were at length for. 
ced from their lines, there was not a round of artillery cartridges 
remaining. 

Major gen, Howe and brigadier gen. Pigot had the command. 
The troops formed, and remained in that position, till joined by a 
second detachment of light infantry and grenadier companies, a 
battalion of the land forces, and a battalion of marines, amounting 
in the whole to about 300Q men. The generals Clinton and Biir- 
g'oyne took their stand upon Cop's hill, to observe and contemplate 
the bloody and destructive operations that were now commencing. 
The regulars formed in two lines, and advanced deliberately fr^- 
quently halting to give time for the artillery to fire, whidi was noc 
well served. The light infantry were directed to force the left 
59oint of the breast-v/ork, and to take the American line in flank.. 
The grenadiers advanced to attack in front, supported by two bM" 



NORTH AMERICA. 2U 

calions, while the left, under gen. Plgot, inclined to the ri,^ht of 
the American line. One or tw'o of the continental regiments had 
been posted in Charlestown, but afterwards removed, to prevent 
their being cut off by a sudden attack ; so that the British were 
not in the least hurt by the musquetry from thence. 

Gen. Gage had for some time resolved upon burning the town, 
whenever any works were raised by the Americans upon the hills 
belonging to it : and while the British were advancing nearer to the 
attack, orders came to Cop's hill for executing the resolution. Soon 
after a carcass was discharged, which set fire to an old house near 
the ferry way ; the fire instantly spread, and most of the place was 
scon in flames ; while the houses at the eastern end of Charles^* 
town were set on fire by men who landed from the boats. 

The regulars derived no advantage from the smoke of the con- 
flagration, for the wind suddenly shifting, carried it another way, 
sp .that it could not cover them in their approach The provincials 
had not a rifleman among them, not one being' yet arrived from the 
southward : nor had they any other guns than common muskets^ 
and even those were not furnished with bayonets. Hovv ever, they 
were almost all marksmen, being accustomed to sporting of one 
kind or other from their youth. A number of Massachusetts peo- 
ple were in the redoubt, and the part of the breastwork nearest it. 
The left of the breast work, and the open ground stretching beyond 
its point to the water side, through which there was not an oppor- 
tunity of carrying the work, was occupied partly by the Massachu- 
setts forces, and partly by the people of Connecticut. 

The British moved on slowly to the attack, instead of using a 
quick step ; which gave the provincials the advantage of taking- 
surer and cooler aim. These reserved their fire, till the regulars 
came within ten or twelve rods, when they began a furious dis- 
charge of small arms, which stopped the regulars, who kept up the 
firing without advancing. The discharge from the Americans was 
so incessant, and did such execution, that the regulars retreated 
in disorder, and with great precipitation towards the place of land- 
ing Their officers used every effort to make them return to the 
charge, with which they at length complied ; but the Americans 
Rgain reserved their fire till the regulars came within five of si:S 
rods, when the enemy was a second tinfie put to flight. 

Gen. Howe and the officers redoubled their exertions ; and gen. 
Clinton, perceiving how the array was staggered, passed over with- 
out waiting for orders, and joined them in time to~be of service — 
The Americans being in want of powder, sent for a supply, but 
could procure none ; for there was but a barrel and a half m the 
magazine. This deficiency disabled them from making the same 
defence as before ; while the British reaped a further advantage 
by bringing some cannon to bear, so as to rake the inside of the 
breast-work from end to end The regular army now made a de- 
cisive push, and the fire from the ships and batteries was redoub*- 
kd. The provincials were of necessity ordered to ret1*eat. 

3 W 



X46 THE HISTORY OF 

It was feared by the Americans, that the British troops wouKli 
push the advantage they had gained, and march immediately to 
the head quarters at Cambridg-e, about two miles distant, and in 
no state of defence. But they advanced no farther than to Bunk- 
er's hill, where they threw up works for their own security. The- 
proviacials did the same upon Prospect hill, in front of them, about 
half way to Cambridge. 

The loss of the British, according to Gen. Gage, amounted to 
1054, of whom 226 were killed : of these 19 were commissioned 
officers) including- a lieutenant colonel, two majors, and seven cap- 
tains. Seventy other officers were wounded. Amongf those more 
generally regretted, were lieutenant colonel Abercromby, and ma- 
jor Pitcairn. 

The provincials had 139 killed, 27S wounded, and 36 were miss- 
ing, in all 453. 

In the opinion of many. General Howe was chargeable with a 
capital error in landing and attacking as he did. It might origi- 
nate from too great a confidence in the forces he commanded, and 
in too contemptuou.s an opinion of the enemy he had to encounter. 
He certainly might have entrapped the provincials, by landing on 
the narrowest part of Charlestown neck, under the fire of the 
^oatiag butteries and ships of vt^ar. Here he might have station- 
ed and fortified his army, and kept up an open communication 
with Boston by a water-carriage, which he would have command- 
ed through the aid of the navy, on each side of the peninsula. 
Had he made this manoeuvre, the provincials must have made a ra- 
pid retreat from Breed's-hill, to escape having his troops in their 
rear, and being inclosed. It was said, that General Clinton propos- 
ed it. The rejection of that proposal greatly weakened the British. 
army, and probably prevented the ruin of the Americans. 

In July, the congress received a letter from the convention of, 
Georg-ia, setting forth, that the colony had acceded to the gener- 
al association, and appointed deligates to attend the congress. 

The accession of Georgia to the colonies occasioned their being, 
afterwards called The Thirteen United Colonies. The first hostili-^ 
ties that happened in this part between the opposite parties, com- 
menced about the middle of November, when a number of royal. 
ists attacked the Americans, and obliged them, after three days„ 
to surrender a fort they had t.^ken possession of, in which they ex- 
pected to make an effectual resistance. 

In the month of November, the New York convention having, 
resolved upon the removal of the cannon from the battery of the 
city. Captain Sears was appointed to the business Captain Van- 
dtput; of the Asia man of war, was privately informed of the de- 
sign, and prepared to oppose its execution. Learringvvhen it was 
to be attempted, he appointed a boat to watch the motion of the 
people assembled for the purpose about the dead of night. The 
Srailors in the boat giving the signal, with a flash of powder, of what- 
was going forwards, tlie perssns on shore mistook it for an attempt 
to fii'e a musket at them, and immediately aimed a volley of shot 



NORT^ AMERICA. 24?^ 

at the boat, by which a man was killed. Captain Vandeput soon 
after commenced a firing from the Asia with grape shot, swivel shot, 
18 and 24 pounders, without killing a single person, and wounded 
only three, two slightly, the other lost the calf of his leg. He 
then ceased for a considerable time, supposing that the people had 
desisted from their purpose, while they were only changing their 
mode of operation. 

Captain Sears provided a deceiving party, intended to draw the 
Asia's fire from the line of the working party. He sent the form- 
er behind a breast-work, by which they were secured by dodging- 
down upon observing the fiash of the Asia's guns- When all was 
in readiness, they huzzaed, and sung out their notes; as though 
tugging in unison, and fired from the walls ; while the working 
party silently got off twenty -one eighteen pounders, with carriagee, 
empty cartridges, rammers, &c. 

Upon hearing the noise, and seeing the fire of the musketrvj 
the captain ordered the Asia to fire a whole broadside towards 
that part of the fort, where the deceiving party had secured them- 
selves, without intending any particular injury to the city. HoW'- 
ever, some of the shot flew inta the city, and did damage. 

This affair happened at a verry late hour, between twelve and 
two, and threw the citizens into the utmost consternation. The 
distress of the New Yorkers was very much encreased by a painful 
apprehension, that Gapt. Vandeput would renew his firing upon the 
city. A removal of men, women, cljildren, and goods instantly- 
commenced, and continued for some time. Matters were however 
30 far adjusted, as to quiet the apprehensions of the people, in re- 
ferrence to their suffering further from the fire of the Asia. To 
prevent it, the convention permitted Abraham Lett, Esq. to sup- 
ply alibis majesty's ships, stationed at New York, with ail neces- 
saries, as well fresh as salted, for the ijse ©f those ships. 

In the month of November, the general assembly of Rhode 
Island passed an act for the capital piinishment of persons, who 
should be found guilty of holding a traiterous correspondence with 
the rainistery of Great Britain, or any of their officers or agents^ 
"or of supplying the ministerial .irmy or navy, employed against the 
United Colonies, with provisions, arms, &c. or of acting, as pilots 
on board any of their vessels. They also passed an act for sequest- 
ering the estates of several persons, whom they considered as a= 
vowed enemies to the liberties of Amei'ica. 

On the night of the 26th of August, about 2000 American troops 
entrenched on Plovved-hill, within point blank shot of the British 
on Bunker's-hill ; and notwithstanding a continual fire almost all 
the day following, they had only two killed and two wounded. The 
British finding: that their firing did not answer, relaxed, and af-, 
ter a while desisted entirely, and the Americans remained quiet 
in their new post. 

In the beginning, of September, General Wasl^iingtonr received 
a very acceptable remittance of TOGO pounds weight cf powder^, 
which had been very scarce in the Ameriean army. 



t4^- THE HIS'TdllY OF 

Gen. WasUlngton having- received pleasing" accouvits fi*om Ca* 
nada, being assured that neither Indians nor Canadians could be 
prevailed upon to act against the Americans, concerted the planef 
detaching a body of troops from the head quarters, across the 
country to Quebec. He communicated the same to Gen. Schuyler, 
who approved it, and all things were got in readiness. The\ set 
out on the expedition on the 13ih of September, under the com* 
mandof Col. Arnold, assisted by the Colonels Green and Enos, 
and Majors Megis and Bigelaw, the whole force amounting to a- 
bout eleven hundred men. 

On th« 18th of October, Capt. Mowat destroyed 139 houses> 
278 stores and other buildings, the fa;r greater and better part of 
the town of Falmouth, in the northern part of Massachusetts The 
inhabitants, in compliance with a resolve of the provincial con- 
gress, to prevent tories carrj ing out their effects, gave some vio- 
lent obstruction to the loading of a mast ship which drew upon 
them the indignation of the British admiral. 

In the mean time» Gen. Montgomery was sent forward to Ticon- 
deroga with a body of troops ; and being arrived at the Isle aus 
Noix, he drew up a declaration, which he sent among the Cana- 
dians by Col. Allen and Major Brown, assuring them, that the ar- 
my was designed only against the English garrisons, andnot against 
the country, their liberties, or religion. 

Col. Allen and Major Brown being on their return, after execut- 
ixf^ the commission, with which the general had entrusted them, 
the latter advised Col. Allen to halt, and proposed, that the colo- 
nel should return to Longueil, procure canoes and cross the river 
St. Lawrence, a little north of Montreal, while he, the major, 
crossed a little to the south of the town, with near 309 men, as he 
had boats sufficient. The plan was approved, and Col. Allen pass- 
ed the river in the night. The major, by some means, failed on 
Ms part, and Col, Allen found himself, the nest morning, in a 
critical situation, but concluded on defending himself* Gen. 
CarletoTJ, learning how weak Col. Allen was, marched out against 
him with about forty regulars, together with Canadians, English 
and Indians, amounting to some hundreds. The colonel defended 
himself with much bravery ; but being deserted by several, chiefly 
Canadians, and having had fifteen of his men killed, was under 
tke necessity of surrendering with thirty-one effectives and seven 
wounded. He was directly put in irons. 

On the 4>th of October, a party of Canadians, who had joined 
and greatly assisted the besigers, entrenched themselves on the 
east side of the lake, on which the enemy sent an armed sloop 
with troops to drive them away ; but the Canadians attacked the 
sloop with vigour, killed a number of the men, and obliged her to 
return to St. John's in a shattered condition . 

On the 7th, the main body of the army decamped from the 
south, and marched to the north side of the fort. In the evening, 
they began to thro^v up a bieast work, in order to erect a battery 
©f cannon and mortars. The continental troops brought s^cl* a 



NORTH AMERICA. 249 

spirit of liberty into the field, and thouj^ht so freely for t'!iemselves> 
that they would not bear either subordmation or discipline. The 
generals could not in truth direct tlieir operations, and would not 
have sta3''ed an hour at their head, had they not feared that the ex- 
ample would be too generally followed, and so have injured the 
public service. There was a great want of powder, which, with 
the disorderly behaviour of the troops, was a damp to the hope of 
terminating the siege successfully. The prospect, however, soon 
brightened, for the Americans planned an attack upon Chamblce, 
and in batteaus carried down the artillery, past the fort of St. 
John's. After a short demur, it surrendered to the majors Brown 
and Livings-ton, The greatest acquisition was about six tons of 
powder, whicli gave great encouragement to the provincials. 

On the 12th of November, Gen. Montgomery pressed on to 
Montreal, which, not being capable of making any defence, Go^^ 
Carleton quitted it one day, and the American general entered it 
the nest. 

Notwithstanding the advanced season of the year. Gen. Mont- 
gomery marched on for the capital, and on the 5th of December 
appeared before Qiiebec. The garrison consisted of about fifteen 
hundred, while the besiegers were said to consist of little more 
than !ialf that number. Upon his appearing before the city, he 
sent forward a flag of truce, vt^hich was fired upon by order of Sir 
Guy Carleton. At this Gen. Montgomery was so provoked, that 
the next day he wrote to Sir Guy, and in his letter departed from 
the common mode of conveying his sentiments ; he made use of 
threats and language, which in his cooler moments he would have 
Reclined. 

in spite of the inclemency of the season, he set about erecting 
works. His batteries were composed of snov/ and water, wliich 
soon became solid ice He planted on them five pieces of ordnance, 
twelve and nine pounders, with one howitzer ; but the artillery 
was inadequate, and made no impression. 

In the evening, a council vvas held by all the commanding offi- 
cers of Col. Arnold's detachment, and a large majority were for 
storming the garrison, as soon as the men were provided with bay- 
onets, spears, hatchets, and hand granades. The plan of storm- 
ing the garrison was wholly the v?ork of Gen. Montgoineryj whoj, 
in the council of war, held on the occasion, shewed the necessity, 
practicability, and importance of it, in such a clear and convincing 
manner, that they unanimously agreed to the measure. The at- 
tempt had the appearance of rashness ; but the general w^as per- 
suaded that men, who had behaved so bravely, would follow him, 
and that Sir Guy Carleton's forces would not fight, when actual 
service commenced. 

On the 31st of December, the troops assembled at the hour ap- 
pointed. They were to make the attack by the way of Cape Dia- 
mond, at the general's quarters on the heights of Abraham, and 
were headed by the general himself. Col. Arnold was to malce 
ihe attack through the suburbs of St. Roe. Col. Livingston and 



250 THE HISTORY OF 

Major Brown were to make a false attack upon the walls, to the 
southward of St. John's g'ate, and in the mean time to set fire to 
the g'ate with the combustibles prepared for that purpose. The 
colonel was also to give the sig'nals for the combination of the at« 
tacks, which was to begin exactly at five o'clock. It is said that 
Capt. Fraser, of the regulars, who was then on piquet, going his 
rounds, saw the rockets fired offas signals, and, forming a conjec- 
ture of wliat was going forwards, beat to arms without orders, and- 
so prepared the garrison for defence. 

The different routs the assailing bodies had to make, the depth, 
of the snow, and other obsticles, prevented the execution of Li-v- 
ingston's command. The general moved with his division, attend- 
ed by a number of carpenters, to the piquets at Cape Diamond. 
These were soon cut with the saws, and the general pulled them 
down himself. He then entered, attended by tlie carpenters and.- 
some of his officers. 

On their entrance, their guides for.'sook them, which alarmed^ 
the general and other officers, who were unacquainted with the 
pass and situation of the enemy's artillery. However, they press- 
ed on, and the general, observing that the troops did no^ follow 
with spirit, called out, " Fie, for shame ! will the New York 
troops desert the cause in this critical moment ? Will you not. 
follow when your general leads ? Push on, brave boys, Qjiebec is 
ours.'* A few acted with resolution, advanced, and attacked the 
guardhouse, when the enemy gave a discharge ofg-rape shot from 
their cannon, and also of small arms, which proved fatal to the ge- 
neral, his aide de camp, Capt. Cheeseman, and others. The 
firing from the guard house ceased, by the enemies quitting their 
post, and the opportunity offered for the assailants to push forward 
with success ; but the Deputy Qiiartermaster General, Campbell, 
with the rank of a colonel, assumed the command, ordered a re- 
treat, which took place, and the wounded were carried off to the 
camp. 
The division under Col. Arnold was equally unsuccessful. The co- 
lonel received a wound in one of his legs from a musket balljand was 
carried to the general hospital His men maintained their ground 
till ten o'clock, when, all hopes of relief being over, they were 
at last obliged to surrender prisoners of war. In this attack the 
provincials lost upwards of an hundred men. Gen. Montgomery 
was shot through. both his thighs and his head. His body was ta- 
ken up the next day, an elegantcofEn was prepared, and he was 
soon after decently interred. The general was tall and slender, 
well limbed, of easy, graceful, and manly address. He had the 
Ljve, esteem, and confidence of the whole army ; he was of a good 
family in Ireland, and had served with reputation in the late war 
with France. His excellent qualities and disposition procured him 
an uncommon share of private affection, and his abilities of public 
esteem. His .death was considered asa greater loss to the Ameri^ 
can cause, than ?.llthe others with which it was accompanied- 



NORTH AMERICA. 251 

When the continetal troops had connected after the unsuccessful 
attack on Quebec, there arose a dispute who should command, and 
whether it was adviseable to raise the sieg-e, or wait till a reinforce- 
ment should arrive. A council of war agreed, that Col. Arnold 
should command, and should continue the siege, or rather the 
blockade, which was accordingly done, apparently at no small 
risk, as they had not more than four hundred men fit for duty ; but 
they retired about three miles from the city, and posted them- 
selves advantageously. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDED IN THIS CAAPTER, 

1775 The expedition against Ticonderoga. 

— — George Washington^ £sq. elected commander in chief of the 

continental forces. 
— The battle of Bunker's EilL 
• Georgia accedes to the Union. 
— — The Thirteen United Colonies. 
— — — The Asia man of nuar fires upon Nevi Tark. 
1 , ■■ CoL Arnold's expedition into Canada. 

■ Falm,outh destroyed, and on ixihat account. 

— — Col. Allen taken prisoner, and put in irons. 
^ . ... General Montgomery appears before ^ebec, and is killed 
there. 



CHAP. V= 



LeL us now return to Boston and its environs, and see what was 
transacting there. On the 15th of February, 1776, the strength 
of the ice having been tried in one place, and the frost continuing^ 
Gen. Washington was desirous of embracing the season for pass- 
ing over it, from Cambridge side into Boston. He laid before the 
council of war the following question : '* A stroke well aimed at 
this critical juncture may put a final period to the war, and restore 
peace and tranquility so much to be wished for; and therefore, 
whether part of Cambridge and Roxburry bays being frozen over, 
a general assault should not be made on Boston ?" 

Gen. Ward opposed the idea, saying, *' the attack must4jemad« 
with a view of bringing on an engagement, or of driving the ene- 
my out of Boston, and either end will be answered mucht)etter by 
possessing Dorchester heights.*' When the votes were called for 
the majority were against the attack. It was however determined 
to possess themselves of Dorchester heights, which was according. 
ly afterwards accomplished. 

On the fifth of March, the British admiral informed gen. Howe, 
tliat if the Americans possessed those heights, he could not keep 



252 THE HISTORY OF 

one of his majesty's ships in the harbour. Every design of g'ene= 
ral Howe to force the American works on the hill being- frustrated, 
a council of war was called, when it was agreed to evacuate the 
town as soon as possible. The time that h^d been gained by the 
Americans for strengthening their works, took away all hopes of 
any successfal attenapts to be made -on them by the British ibrces. 
The Americans had r>r©vided a great number of barrels, filled 'i^ith 
stones, gravel and sand, which were placed round t:he wtu'ks, ready 
to be rolled down, with a view to break the hues of any hostile 
advancing troops, when ascending the hills. 

On the 7th of March, there was a g-eneral hurry and confusion in 
Boston, every one, in the royal interest, being busy in preparing to 
quit the town, a ad to carry off every thing that was valuable A 
tiag was sent out from the select -men, acquainting gen. Washing- 
ton with the intention of the troops, and that gen. Howe was dis- 
posed to leave the town standing, provided he could retire unin- 
terrupted. Gen. Washington bound himself undc no obligaticn, 
but expressed himself in words, wliich admitted of a favourable 
construction, and intimated 'his good wishes for the preservation of 
Boston. At four o'clock in the morning of the 17th, the embarca- 
tion was completed, and before ten the v/hole fleet was under sail, 
and the provincials soon after took possession of the town. 

Let us now take a view of what was doing in Virginia. Towards , 
the close of 1775, the Liverpool fiigate arrived at Norfolk from 
Great Britain. Soon after, the captain sent a flag of truce, and 
demanded to be informed, whether his majesty's ship of war 
would be-supplied from the shore with provisions. The reply was 
in the negative ; and the ships in the harbour being continually an- 
noyed by the riflemen from behind the buildings and warehouses , 
on the wharfs, it was determined to dislodge them by destroying 
rthe town. 

Previous notice was given, that the women, children, and other 
innocent persons, might remove from the danger. Tbe entrance of 
the new year was signalized, at four o'clock in the morning, by a 
violent cannonade, from the Liverpool, two sloops of war, and the 
governor's armed ship the Dunmore, seconded by parties of sai- 
lors and marines, wlio landed and fired the houses next the water. 
Where buildings, instead of being povered with tile, slate, or lead, 
are covered with shingles, (thin light pieces of fir or cedar, half 
a yard in length, and about six inches broad) let the wind be ever 
so moderate, they will, upon being fired, be likely to communicate 
the con-lagration to a distance, should tlie weather be dry, by 
the burning shingles being driven by the force of the flames to the 
tops of other houses. 

Thus the whole town was reduced to ashes, that the Americans 
might have no shelter, should they be inclined to establish a post 
on the spot. A few men were killed and wounded at the burning or 
Norfolk, the most populous and considerable town for commerce 
of any in Virginia. It contained about 6000 inhabitants, and manj^ 
ia a^uant circuiiistance.5. The whole loss was estimated at more 



NORTH AMERICA. 253 

t'fsan three hundred thousand pounds sterling-. However urg^ent 
the necessity, it was an odious si^ht to see the g-overnor, Lord 
Dunmore, a principle actor in burning- and destroying the best 
town in his government. The horrid distresses brought upon 
numbers of innocent persons, by these operations, must wound the 
feelings of all who are not hardened by a party spirit. 

While matters were thus transacting in America, the ministry 
at home gave into great expenses, to supply the army at Boston 
with fresh provisions and other articles. Sir Peter Parker and 
£arl Cornwallis, with the Acteon and Thunder bomb, sailed, from 
Portsmouth for Corke, to convoy the troops and transports there to 
America ; but, owing to some dela3^s, the fleet did not sail before 
the 13th of February, It consisted of forty -three sail, and about 
2500 troops. 

On the 14th of March, a fresh attempt was made in the house of 
lords, to prevent a continuance of hostilities, which so far succeed- 
ed, that in the May following, letters patent, by his Majesty's or- 
ders, passed under the great seal, constituting Lord Howe and 
Gen. Howe, to be his majesty's commissioners for restoring peace 
to the colonies in North America, and for granting pardon to such 
of his majesty's subjects there, then in rebellion, as should deserve 
the royal mercy. The same month, Commodore Hotham, with all 
the transports, having the first division of Hessians on board, sailed 
from St Helen's for North America. But let us return to Canadaj, 
and attend to what was going forward in that quarter. 

The blockade of Qviebec was continued < but the fears of the 
Americans were great, as they bad no more than 400 men to do 
duty, while there were upwards of three times the nu-mher in the 
city ; they were in daily expectation that the besieged would sally 
out upon them. At leng-th, a small reinforcement arrived, which 
enabled them to take a little more rest, though the army was agaizi 
soon reduced by the small-pox that broke out among them. 

Towards the end of May, several regiments arrived from Eng» 
land, and the British forces in Canada were estimated at about 
13,000 men. The general rendezvous was appointed to be at 
Three Rivers, half way between Quebec and Montreal. The 
Americans now formed a plan to surprise the British troops, and 
for that purpose marched under cover of the night, on the 8th of 
June, in order to attack them a Iittie before day break Gen. 
Thompson, who commanded in this expedition, had procured a 
Canadian guide, who was either ignorant or unfaithful ; for, a little 
before sun^rise, he found iiis forces were out of the proper road. 
They returned, but losing their way by the side of the river, they 
were soon in vie\V of some of the enemy's boats, between which and 
the flanking party several balls were excliang-ed. They then 
quickened their pace, and costinued advancing in sight of the 
shipping, with d^ums beating and fifes playing, as they knew they 
were discovered. The general, judging there was no possibility of 
paa.sing the ships, without being exposed to all their fire, and yet 
deteritiinh^g to persist in the expedition, filed oft' at a right aogie 



254 THE HISTORY OF 

from the river. He meant to take a circuitous route, and enter the 
town on the back side. A bad naorass interposed, the troops enter- 
ed it, and the men were almost mired. About nine o'clock, they 
came to a cleared spot, formed, and got into some order about ten. 
They advanced, but before the rear had got off the place of forma- 
tion, the front received a heavy fire from the enemy, which struck 
:/^.,>m with terror. The fire was instantly repeated, and though the 
balls flew over the heads of the troops, without doing any material 
execution, they gave way, and crowded back, in the utmost con- 
fusion, which left them without a leader, so that every one did as 
he pleased. They turned their faces up the river, and hastened 
through the swamp as fast as possible. About eleven they began 
to collect, and soon learned from the Canadians, that the enemy had 
sent a detachment, with several field-pieces by land, to cut off their 
retreat and a party by water to seize their boats. About four they 
were told that the enemy had secured the bridge before them, 
vvhicli it was supposed they must pass. They were also soon con- 
vinced, that a large body was closely in the rear. Col. Maxwell or- 
dered all who had collected together to halt, called the officers to 
him, and said, " What shall we do ? Shall we fight those in the 
front or in the rear ? Shall we tamely submit ? or shall we turn off 
into the woods, and each man shift for himself ?" The last propo- 
sal was preferred ; but the enemy was so near that the rear of the 
Americans was ;esposed to another tremendous fire, while going 
down the hill into the woods, but the balls flew over them without 
injuring any. The person, who was entrusted with the care of the 
boats, had removed them in time to a secure place ; so that the loss 
of the Americans, which must otherwise have been much greater, 
amounted only to about 200 prisoners. 

The troops that escaped began to collect about ten the next day 
and by noon v/ere considerably numerous. They got along by de- 
grees, and by sun-set the day following arrived opposite Sorel. 
Gen, Thompson and Col. Irwin, the second in command, with 
some other officers, were taken. The killed and wounded of the 
king's troops were trifling. 

The king's forces having joined at Three Rivers, proceeded by 
land and water to Sorel, off which the fleet arrived in the even- 
ing, a few hours after the rear of the Americans had left it A 
considerable body was landed, and the command of the column 
given to Gen. Burgoyne, with instructions to pursue the continen- 
tal army up the river to St. John's, but without hazarding any 
thing till another column on his right should be able to co operate 
with him. Sir Guy Carleton's extraordinary precaution to put 
nothing to hazard, when not absolutely necessary, gave the Amer- 
icans the opportunity of escaping. Had Burgoyne been instructed 
to press on with the utmost expedition, great numbers of the prcv 
vincials rriust have been made prisoners, and but few would have 
crossed Lake Champhdn. Thus ended the expedition against 
Quebec. 



NORTH AMERICA. 255 

To return to Boston. The British Commodore Banks, omittinj^' 
to leave cruisers in the bay, afforded an opportunity to the Ameri- 
can privateers of taking- a number of Highlanders. Three days 
after his quitting it, the Georg-e and Annabella transports entered, 
after a passage of seven weeks from Scotland, during- the course of 
which they had not an opportunity of speaking with a single vessel, 
that could give them the smallest information of the British troops 
having evacuated Boston. They were attacked in the morning by 
four privateers, with whom they engaged till the evening-, when the 
privateers bore away, and the transports pusiied for Boston har- 
bour,'not doubting but they shovdd there receive protection, either 
from a fort or ship of force stationed for the security of British ves- 
sels. They stood up for Nantasket road, wlien an American bat- 
tery opened upon them, which Vi as tlie first serious proof they had 
of the situation of affairs at the port to vvliicli tliey were destined. 
They were too far embayed to retreat, as the wind had died away, 
and the tide was half expended. The pi-ivateers, with which they 
had been engag-ed, joined by two otliers, n^.ade towards them. 
They pi-epdJ-ed for action ; but, by some misfortune, the Annabella 
got a-ground so far astern of the George, that the latter expected 
but a feeble support from her musketry. About eleven at night, 
the privateers anchored close by, and hailed them to strike the 
British flag. The mate of the George, and every sailor on board, 
the captain excepted, lefused to fight any longer ; but the officers 
and privates of the seventy-first regiment stood to their quarters 
till all their ammunition was expended, when they vvere forced to 
yield. They had eight privates and a major killed, besides seven- 
teen wounded. The number of Highlanders taken vvere 267 pri- 
vates, 48 officers, besides Lieut. Col. Campbell. 

On the 25th ef June, Gen. Howe arrived at Sandy Hook in tlie 
Greyhound frigate. He soon received from Gov. Tryon a full ac- 
count of the state and disposition of the province, as well as of the 
strength of the Americans. Gen. Washington's army was small, 
rather below 9000 fit for duty. Of this little army, it was said, at 
least 2000 were wholly destitute of arms, and nearly as many with 
arms in such condition as to be rather calculated to discourage 
than animate the usev. On the 2d of July, Gen. Howe's troops 
took possession of Staten Island. 

On the first of July, congress resolved itself into a committee of 
the whole, upon the subject of independence ; but neither color^ies 
jjor members being unanimous, it was postponed till the next day. 
On the fourth, thej' had it under further consideration, when the 
declaration of independence was agreed to and adopted. Tiie title 
of it wasj 

** J Declaration by the Represent alives of the United States of A'mertca 
in Congress assembled.''* 

The preamble follows in these words.—" When, in the course of 
human events^ it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve ihe 



256 THE HISTORT OF 

political bands, which have connected them with another, and to 
assume, among' the powers of the earth, the separate and equal 
station, to which tlie laws of nature and of nature's God entitle 
them, a decent respect to the opinions of nnankind require that 
they sliould declare the causes tliat impel them to the separation. 

" We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are cre- 
ated equal — that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
imaleinable rig-hts, among- which ar2 life, liberty and the purs^iitof 
happiness — that to secui'e tliese rights, governments are instituted' 
among" men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the 
governed — that whenever any form of government becomes de- 
structive of these ends, it is tlie right of the people to alter or abol- 
ish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations 
upon such principles, and organizing its pov/ers in such form, as to 
them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. 
Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that governments, long established, 
sliould not be changed for light and transient causes ; and accord- 
ingly ail experience halh shown, that mankind are more dis- 
posed to suffer, wliile evils are sufferable, than to riglit tliemselves 
by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when 
a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably t!ie 
same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute des- 
potism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such govern- 
ment, and to provide new g'uards for their future security. Such 
has been the patient sufferance of these colonics, and such is now 
the necessity that constrains them to alter their former systems of 
g-Qvernment.'* 

The declaration proceeds to give a history of reiiested Injuries 
and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an 
absolute tyranny over those states. 

On the 8th of July, at tv/elve o'clock, the declaration ofinde- 
pei.denoe was proclaimed at the state-house in Philadeiphia, 
amidst the greatest acclamations. The next day, in consequence 
of general orders, it was read at the head of each brigade of the 
continential army at New York, and every where received with 
loud huzzas, and the utmost demonstrations of joy. The same 
evenitig, the equestrian statue of the king was laid prostrate on the 
ground, and the lead of which it was made was doomed to be run 
into bullets. 

On the 14th of August, Lord Dunmore quitted Virginia, and 
joined the British forces. He arrived with Lord Campbell and Sir 
Peter Paricer off Staten Island. His lordship continued on the 
coasts, and in the rivers of Virginia, till the closeness and filth of 
the small vessels, in which the fugitives were crowded, together 
with the heat of the weather, the badness and scarcity of water and 
provisions, produced a pestilential fever, which made great hav- 
ock, especially among the negrvoes, many of whom were swept away. 
When at length every place was shut against him, and neither 
water nor provisions were to be obtained, but at the expense of 
blood, it was found necessary to burn several of the smaller and 



NORTH AMERICA. 257 

least valuable vessels, to prevent their falling into the hands of the 
Americans, and to send the remainder, with the exiled friends of 
government, to seek shelter in Florida, Bermudas, and the West 
Indies. 

Lord Howe arrived off Halifax towards the end of June, and 
from thence proceeded to New York, and reached Staten Island by 
the 12th of July, From thence he sent on shore by a flag- to Am- 
boy, a circular letter, together with a declaration to several of the 
late governors of the colonies, acquainting them with his powers, 
and desiring them to publish the same as generally as possible, 
for the information of the people. But it is now too late to bring 
them back to the obedience of the mother country, since the de- 
claration of independence had been every where solemnly read. 

Iff the month of August, Gen. Howe finding himself sufficiently 
strong to attempt something, resolved on making a descent on 
Long Island The necessary measures being taken by the fleet 
for covering the descent, the army was landed, without opposition , 
betv/een two small towns, Utrecht and" Gravesend, not far from the 
Narrows, on the nearest shore to Staten Island; 

On this island are several passes through the mountains or liills, 
which are easily defensible, being very narrow, and the lands high 
and mountainous on each side These were the only roads that 
could be passed from the south side of the hills to the American 
lines, except a road leading round the easterly end of the hill to 
Jamaica, An early attention had been given to the importance of 
these passes. To the second of them, the small American parties, 
patroling on the coasts, retired upon the approach of the British 
J3oats with the ti'oops Lord Corn wallis pushed on immediately 
with the reserve and some otlier forces ; but finding the Americans 
in possession of the pass, in compliance with ordersj, he risked no 
attack. 

The Americans had on ea-ch of the three passes or roads a 
guard of 800 men ^ and to the east of them in the wood. Col Miles 
was placed with his battalion to guard the road from the south of 
the hills to Jamaica, and to which the motion of the enemy on that 
side, with orders to keep a party constantly reconnoitring to and 
across the Jamaica road. The sentinels v.ere so placed as to keep 
a; continual communication between the three guards on the thjee 
roads. 

■ On the 26th of August, Gen. Howe, having fully settled a plan 
of surprize. Gen. de Heister, v;ith his HeasianS, took post at Flat-* 
bush in the evening, and composed the centre About nine 
o'clock the same night,- the principal, army, containing much the 
greater part of the British forces, under the commands of Gen. 
Chnton, Earl Percyj and Lord Cf)rnwaHis, marched in order to 
gain the road leading rour^d the easterly end of the hills to Jamai- 
ca, and so to turn the left of the Americans. Col. Miles, whose 
duty it was to guard this road, suffred the British to march not, 
Jess than six miles, till they were near two miles in the rear of the. 
guardp; before lie discovered and gave notice of their approach- 



25S THE HISTORY OE 

Tlie next day, before day -break, Gen. Clinton arrived within half 
a mile of the road, when he halted, and settled his disposition for 
the attack. One of his patroles fell in with a patrol of Americaa 
officers on horseback, who were trepanned and made prisoners. 
Gen^ Sullivan, thoug-h in expectation that they would bring- him in- 
telligence, neg-lected sending out a fresh patrol on finding himself 
disappointed. Cliiiton, learning from the captured officers, that 
the Americans had not occupied the road, detached a battalion of 
light infantry to secure it, and advancing with his troops upon the 
first appearance of day, posses.sed himself of the heights that com- 
manded the road. 

About midnight, the guard, consisting all of New Yorkers and 
Pennsylvanians, perceiving that there was danger at hand, fled with- 
out firing a gun, and carried to Gen. Parsona, who commanded 
them, the account of the enemy's advancing in great numbers by~ 
that road. Gen. Grant's movementsvvere to divert the attention 
of the Americans from the left, where the main attack was to be 
made by Gen. Clinton, By day-light. Gen. Parsons perceived, that 
the British were g-ot through the waod, and were descending oa 
the north side. He took twenty of his fugitive guard, behig all he 
could collect, and posted them on a height in front of the British^, 
about half a mile distant, which halted their column, and gave time 
for Lord Stirling to come up with his forces, amounting to about. 
1500, who possessed himself of a hill about two miles from the 
camp. 

The engagement began soon after day-break, by the Hessians 
fvom l^latbush, under Gen. Heister, and- by Gen. Grant on the 
icoast ; and a warm cannonade, with a brisk fire of small arms^ 
v/ere eagerly supported on both sides for some considerable time. 
The Americans opposing Gen Heister were the first who were 
apprized of the march of the British troops under Gen. Clinton. 
They accordingly retreated in large bodies, and in tolerable order, 
to recover their camp; but they were soon interrupted by the 
right wing under Gen. Clinton, who, having halted and refreshed 
bis forces after passing the heights-> continued his iTvarch, and. 
getting into the rear of the left cf the Americans, about half past 
eight o'clock attacked them with his light infantry and light 
dragoons, while quitting the heights to return to their lines. They 
•were driven back, and again met the Hessians, and thus were they 
s.lternately chased and intercepted. In these desperate circum- 
stances, some of their regimentsi, overpowered, and outnumbered 
as they v/ere, forced their way to the camp, through all the dan- 
gers with which they were pressed. 

The Americans under Lord Stirling, who were engaged with 
Gen Gr^nt, behaved with great bravery and resolution ; but were 
so late in their knowledge of what passed elsewhere, that their 
retreat was intercepted by soni>e of the British troops, who, besides 
turning the hills and the Am.erican left, had traversed the whole 
extent of country in their I'ear. Several broke through the ene- 
jDy's-line, and got into the woods. Gen. Parsons, v/ith a small 



NORTH AMERICA, 2|9 

party, escaped by doing* the same ; numbers threw themselves into 
yie marsh at Gorvan's Cove, some were drowned, and others per- 
ished in the mud. However, a Considerable body e&caped to the 
lines. The nature of the country, and the variety (5f the ground 
occasioned a continuance and extension of small eng•a,^'ements, 
pursuits and slaughter, which lasted for many hours before the 
scene closed. 

The British troops displayed great valour and activity on this 
occasion* So impetuous was their ardour, that it was with diffi- 
culty they could be restrained, by Gen. Howe's orders, from at- 
tacking the American lines. They would probably have entered 
them, had not the works been completed the night before the ac- 
tion, by closing an opening on the right, and placing an abbatis 
before it. The Americans were rao&fe completely surprised and 
effectually entrapped. Gol Smallwood's Maryland regiment suf- 
fered extremely, and was almost cut to pieces, losing 259 men. 
The loss was m^ich regretted, on account of their being youn^ 
men of the best families in the country All who were engaged 
in the actions of this day did not display the same courage ; nor 
was it to be expected from such wlw troops. Many escaped from 
the want of discipline ; for they broke at the sight of danger, 
and saved themselves by flight, whereas otherwise they must have 
been killed or taken. Large bodies however were captured,. 
Gen. Sullivan, Lord Stirling, and Gen Udell, besides^ three 
colonels, four lieutenant-colonels, three majors, eighteen captains, 
forty three lieutenants, eleven ensigns, an adjutant^ three sur- 
Efeons, and two volunteers, were made prisoners, together with a 
thousand and six privates, in all a thousand and ninety seven. As 
among the prisoners the wounded were included, an allowance of 
between four and five hundred for killed, drowned, perished in 
the woods, the mud, and the like, may be i-eckoned about the mark. 
The loss of the British, in killed and wounded, did not exceed 
three hundred and eighteen, of whom only sixty-one were killed. 
After the battle, the Americans retreated to New York, to which 
place they crossed over, under the favour of a fog, taking with 
them all their military stores, and leaving nothing behind them, 
but a few pieces of cannon, and some trifling matters. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDED IN THIS CHAPTER. 

1776 Ge?z. Hovic evacuates Boston. 

— — NorfoLk in Virginia burnt^ 

Sir Peter Parker and Earl Cornviallis sail for America, 

■ The blockade of Quebec continued 

' The America?is raise the blockade and retreat. 

—— — J number of Highlanders taken tn Boston bay. 

■ ■ Declaration of Atnerican I,idepenaence . 

—i-» Gen. Iloive lands the royal artny on LQng Island} and drives 
the. Americans off it. 



26» THE HISTORY OF 



CHAP. VL 



After tiie affair of Long- Island, endeavours were used by the 
Americans to keep up the spirits of the people, by puffing ac- 
counts of the extraordinary bravery of their troops, and the de- 
Struction they made of the enemy. But that matters were not 
very pron\isiug appears from a letter of Gen. Mercer, who cobi- 
manded the flying camp, dated September the 4th, wherein he 
writes : " Gen. Washington has not, so far as I have seen, 5000 
men to be depended on for the service of a campaign ; and I have 
not 1000. Both our armies are composed of raw militia, perpetu- 
ally fluctuating between the camp and their farms ; poorly armed, 
and still worse disciplined. These are not a niatch for, were their 
numbers equal to veteran troops, well fitted and urged on by 
able officers. Numbers and discipline must at last prevail. Giv- 
ing soldiers, or even the lower orders of mankind, the choice of 
officers, will forever mar the discipline of armies.'* 

Gen. Howe having fully prepared for a descent on New York 
Island, embarked a strong division of the army under the command 
of Gen. Clinton, and others, in boats, at the head of Newtown 
inlet, and at another place higher up, where they could not be ob- 
served by the Americans, who expected the attack would be made 
on the side next to the East river, and had therefore. th<rown up^ 
lines and works to defend themselves. 

Gn the 15th of September, about, eleven o'clock. Gen. Howe's 
tJtoops landed, under the cover of five ships of war, in two divisions, . 
the Hessians in one place, and the British in another. As soon, 
as Gen. Washington heard the firing of the men af war, he rode 
with all dispatch towards the lines ; but to his great mortification, 
found the troops posted in them retreating with the utmost pre- 
cipitation ; and those ordered to support them, Parsons's and Fel- , 
lows?s brigade, flying in every direction, and in the greatest coa-? 
fusion, His attempts to stop them were fruitless, though he drew 
his sword, threatened to run them through, and cocked and snap- 
ped his pistols. 

On the appearance of a small party of the enemy, not more than 
sixty or seven^^y, their disorder was increased, and they ran off 
without firing a sijigle shot, leaving the general in a hazardous - 
situation, so that his attendants, to extricate him out of it, ca«ght 
the bridle of his horse, and gave him a different direction. 

Three large ships were stationed in the North river, opposite - 
to those in the East river, and both kept up a constant cannonad-- 
ing with grape-shot and langrage quite across the island. The 
Hessians, upon their landing, seized and secured, in a neighbour- 
ing building, as enemies, soii;e persons who had been placed there 
to serve as guides, which for a while subjected theia to a difficviUvr 



NORTH AMERIGA= 211 

■When the regulars were completely landed, tliey advanced to- 
wards the King'sbridg-e road. The American brigades which had 
fled on the enemy's approaching- the lines, did not stop till they 
were met by Col. Glover's and five othM' brigades, who were hast- 
ening- down to them. As soon as they joined, the whole marched 
forward, and took post on some heig'hts, when suddenly 8000 of 
the enemy appeared on the next height, and halted. Gen. Wash- . 
ington at first consented that his troops should march forward, and 
give them battle ; but, on a second consideration, he g-ave coun- 
ter orders, as he could not have any dependence on the militia and 
the flying camp, which composed half the number then present. 
When the Americans retired, and no prospect of action remained, 
the English took possession of New York. 

Gen. Washington, Vv^hile moving the army from New York, Into 
the country, was careful to march and form the troops, so as to 
make a front tovv-ards the enemy, from East Chester almost to 
White Plains, on the east side of the highv.'ay, thereby to secure 
the march of those who were behind on their right, and to defend 
the removal of the sick, cannon, and other matters of consequence ; 
but the want of many necessary articles considerably retarded their 
march. 

On the 2Sth of October, the royal army moved in two columns, 
and took a position they thought the most advantageous. Observ- 
ing, however, that G?n. Washington's lir.es were mucli strength- 
ened by additional works, he deferred all further attack till the 
arrival of more troops. Several skirmishes had already taken 
place, but nothing decisive had yet happened. 

On the last day of October, Gen Howe, being joined by the 
troops from Lord Percy, made dispositions for attacking the 
American lines early the next « lor^ing ; but an extreme wet night 
and morning prevented the execution at tbe time appointed, and 
it was not attempted afterwards, Ulougfe th^ day proved fair. Gen. 
Washington gained intelligence of liis danger from a deserter, 
when he drew off most of his troops aimight, totally evacuated his 
camp early in the morning of the first of November, and took 
higrher ground towards the North Castle district ; leaving a strong- 
rear-guard on the heights and in the woods of White Plains. Of' 
ders were given by Gen. Howe to attack this corps ; but the exe- 
cution of it was prevented by a violent rain. 

.TliDugb this affair at White Plains made so much noise at the 
time in which it happened, no general action took place, and the 
Americans retreated, leaving the English in possession of New- 
York and the Jerseys. 

Gen. Washington, however, soon after made a descent on Jer- 
sey, and at TreiUon surprised and took prisoners twenty-three 
Hessian officers, and 886 men of the same nation. In the evening. 
Gen. Washington repassed the Delaware, and retired to Pennsyl- 
vania. 

From this period to the month of June, 1777, nothing passed in 
Jersey but one continued scene of blood and slaughter aisong d€^ 



262 tHE mSTORY OF 

tached parties, withovil- any decisive advantag-es bein* gained' hf 
either side. On the 30th of June, at ten o'clock in the moaning',, 
the Eng-lish troops beg'an to cross over to Staten Island, and the 
rearguard passed at two i^i the afternoon, M'ithout the least ap- 
pearance of an enemy. Thus they evacuated the Jerseys, to enter 
upon new conquests, in hopes of reducing the United States to 
unconditional submission. 

Let us now turn to the British operations in the North, which 
were taken out of the hands of Sir Guy Carleton, and committed 
to the charge of Gen Burgoyne. The forces allotted to them, 
consisting of British and German troops, amounted to more than 
7000 men, exclusive of the artillfry corps A powerful brass train 
of artillery was furnished, probably the finest, and the most ex- 
cellently supplied as to officers and private men, that had ever- 
been destined to second the operations of an army not exceeding' 
the present number. The army was, in every respect, in the best 
condition, the troops were in the highest spirits, admirably disci- 
plined, and uncommonly healthy. 

The main body, under General Burgoyne, proceeded up Lake 
Champlain, landed and encamped at no great distance from Crown 
Point, where he met the Indians in congress, and afterwards, in 
compliance with their customs, gave them a war-feast. He made 
a speech to them, calculated to excite their ardour in the com- 
mon cause, at the same time to repress tlu ir barbtirity. He con- 
jured them, to kill those only who opposed them in arms ; that old 
men, women, children, and prisoners, should be held sacred from 
the knife or hatchet, even in the heat of actual conflict ; that they 
should scalp those only whom they had slain in fair opposition ; 
but that under no pretence should they scalp the wounded, or even 
dying, much less kill persons in th U condition They were prom- 
ised a compensation for prisoners, but informed, that they should 
be called to account for scalps. 

On the near approach of the right wing of the royal arrny on 
the Ticonderoga side, the Americans abandoned their works to- 
wards Lake George, and left Gen. Phillips to possess the advanta- 
geous post of Mount Hope, without making any resistance, which 
would have been ineffectual, and could have answered no good 
purpose. That apparent supineness and want of vigour, with 
"which they were chargeable, was not occasioned by cowardice, 
but actual imbecility. 

Gen. Burgoyne's troops proceeded with much expedition, in 
the construction of their works, the bringing up of artillery, stores, 
and provisions ; but what gave the greatest alarm was, tlie rapid 
progress they made in clearing a road, and getting artillery on 
Sugar Hill. When once they had erected a battery on this height, 
only a fe v hours more would have been required to have invested 
the Americans on all sides. 

Gen. St Clair, having received intelligence by spies, that in 
twenty-four hours the investiture would be completed, when he 
should be cut off from all possibility of succoiu*. Gen, Schuyler 



NORTH AMERICA, 263 

T\ot liaving force sufficient at fort Edward to relic%'e him, lie de- 
termined to evacuate his posts, thoug-h be knew it would produce 
such astonishment as had not liappened since the commeiicement 
of the war. He plainly perceived, that if he continued there, he 
should lose the army, but save his character ; whereas, by aban- 
doning* the place he should save the army, and lose his character, 
A council of war was called, and it was unanimously concluded 
upon to evacuate as soon ?.s possible. 

At two ©^clock in the morning- of July the 6th, Gen. St. Clair 
left Ticonderoga. About three the troops were put in motion for 
the evacuation of the Mount ; but Fermoy having set fire to liis 
house, contrary to positive orders, the whole mount was enlig'ht- 
ened by it, so that the enemy had an opportunity of seein,^ every 
thing" that passed, which damped the spirits of the Americans, 
and induced them to push off in a disorderly manner. 

In the morning, Gen, Frazer> p irceiving- the evacuation, and 
that the Ai^nericans were retiring-, commanded a pursuit with his 
brigade, consisting of the light troops, grenadiers, and some other 
corps. Gen. Reideselj with most of the Brunswickers, was or- 
dered by Gen. Burgoyne to join in the pursuit, either to support 
Frazer, or to act separately. The latter continued the pursuit 
through the day, and receiving intelligence, that St. Clair's rear 
was at no great distance, he ordered his troops to lie that night on 
their arms. In the morning, he came up with the Americans, 
commanded by Col. Warner, who had, besides his own, the regi- 
ments of Colonels Francis and Hale. The British advanced bold- 
ly, and the two bodies formed within about sixty yards of each 
other. Frazer began the attack about seven o'clock, expecting 
every moment to be joined by Reidesel, and apprehending, that 
if he delayed, the enemy would escape. Hale being apprised of 
the danger, never brouglit his regiment to the charge, but fled ; 
so that Warner could bring into action no more than about 700 
men. The conflict was bloody : Francis fell fighting with great 
bravery, and Warner, his officers, and soldiers, behaved with 
much resolution and gallantry ; so that the British broke and gave 
way, but soon formed again, and running on the Americans with 
their bayonets, the latter were put into no small confusion, whick 
was increased by the critical arrival of Gen Reidesel with the 
foremost of his column, consisting of the Chasseur company, and 
light infantry, who were immediately led into action. The Amer- 
icans now Sed on all sides. Gen St. Clair heard when the firing 
began, and would have supported Warner; but the troops that 
were nearest, two militia regim.ents, would not obey orders, and 
the others were at too great a distance. Hale, who had attempt- 
ed to get off by flight, fell in with an iiiconsiderable party of 
British, and surrendered himself aiui a number of his men pris- 
oners. The Americans lost 324 in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 
and among the last were twelve officers The royal troops, in- 
cluding Briti.sh and German, had not less than i83 Jiilled and 
wountied. 



264 THE HIStORY OF 

TlLe evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence sur» 
prised Gen. Washing-ton, and spread astonishment and terror 
through the New-England states. The general was led to believe 
that the garrison was much stronger. The Massachusetts Gen- 
eral Court were faulty, in not having seasonably forwarded their 
quota of troops, agreeable to the requisition of Congress. 

Let us now return to see what was doing by Gen. Howe. The 
British fieet and army which lay at Sandy Hook, were destined for 
the reduction of Philadelphia, in pursuance of a plan '.vhich had 
been settled between Sir William Howe and Lord George Ger- 
main, but did not sail till the 2€d of July. The land forces con- 
sisted of thirty-six British and Hessian battalions, including., the 
light infantry and grenadiers, with a powerful artillery, a New 
York corps, called Qiieen's Rangers, and a regiment of light 
horse, estin^ated all together, at about 16,000 men. The fleet 
consisted of 267 sail. Gen. Howe's thus abandoning Burgoyne 
equally excited the astonishment of friends and enemies. 

On the 14th of Juae, th« Congress resolved, that the flag of the 
Thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and 
white 5 that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, rep- 
resenting a new constellation. 

It was not till the third of September that the royal army began 
to move forwards. On its advancing near to the Americans, these 
abandoned their ^ound, perceiving that it would not answer their 
first expectation. They crossed Brandywine at Chad's ford, and 
took possession of the heights on the east side of it, with an evi- 
dent intention of disputing the passage of the river ; but the su- 
perior numbers of the regular forces at last obliged them to retir-e. 

A little after sun-ri^e on the 11th of September, a warm en- 
gagement commenced, which lasted till the approach of night. On 
this occasion, the Americans shewed great resolution and cour- 
age ; but a few hours more of day-light might have so animated 
the conquering regulars, fatigued as they were, as to have pro- 
duced those exertions, which would have been productive of a 
total and ruinous defeat to the Americans. It was said, by the 
Am.ericans themselves, that in this action, their loss in killed, 
wounded, and piisoners, was aboMt twelve or thirteen hundred ; 
and that the ro} al army did not sufi'er, en their part, short of seven 
or eight hundred, in killed and wounded. The Americans also 
lost ten small field pieces, and a howitzer, of which all but one 
were brass. 

The evening after the battle, a party of regulars was sent to 
Wilmington, who took the governor of the Delaware state, Mr. 
M'Kenly, out of his bed, and possessed themselves of a shallop 
lying in the creek, loaded with the rich effects of some of the in- 
habitants, together with the public records of the county, and a 
large quantity of public and private money, besides articles of 
plate, and other things. 

After various motions of the regular army, on the 26th of Sep- 
tfeoaber, Gen. Howe made his triumphal entry into Philadeiphia^^ 



NORTH AMERICA. 265 

with a small part of his army, where he was most cordially re- 
ceived by the generality of the Qiiakers, and a few other royalists. 
The bulk of his troops were left in and about Germantown, a vil- 
lage forming" one continued street for near two miles. Gen. 
Washington's army was encamped near Shippach -creek, about 
■eighteen miles from thence. The Congress, on the loss of Phila- 
delphia, removed to York-town. 

To return to the northern army, under the command of Gen. 
Burgoyne. Several actions took place between the Americans 
and regulars, in the intended march of the British towards Albany, 
In these different skirmishes, the regulars suffered very censidera- 
bly, as well as the Indians in their interest. The principal action 
happened at Bennington, in which the Americans took from the 
EngUsh four brass field -pieces, twelve drums, 250 dragoon swords, 
four ammunition waggons, and about seven hundred prisoners, 
among whom was Lieut. Col. Baum. 

On the SOth of August, the English comm.ander liad occasion 
to write to Gen. Gates, and in his letter complained of inhumanity 
exercised towards the provincial soldiers in the king's service af- 
ter the affair of Bennington, and then hinted at retaliation. Gen. 
Gates in his answer of September the 2d, invalidated the charge, 
and then retorted the Indian cruelties, which he imputed to Bur- 
goyne, saying, *' Miss M'Rea a young lady of virtuous character, 
and amiable disposition, engaged to an officer in your army, was, 
with other women and children, taken out of a house near Fort 
Edward, carried into the woods, and there murdered and mangled, 
in a most shocking manner. Two parents, with their six children, 
were all scalped and treated with the same inhumanity, while qui- 
etly residing in their once happy and peaceful dwellings. i he 
miserable fate of Miss M'Rea was particularly aggravated, by 
her being dressed to receive her promised husband, when slie met 
her murderer employed by you. Upv/ards of one hundred men, 
women, and children, have perished by the hands of the ruffians, 
to whom it is asserted, you have paid the price of blood." Gen. 
Burgoyne, in his reply of the 6th of tlie same month, vindicated his 
own character ; shewed that Miss M'Rea's death was no premedi- 
tated barbarity, and declared, that every other charge, exhibiteu 
by Gen. Gates, was ill-foundecl and erroneous. 

The murder of Miss M'Rea exasperated the Amoricans, and 
from that and other cruelties occasion was taken to blacken the 
royal party and army. The people detested that army wliich ac- 
cepted of sucli Indian aid, and loudly reprobated that government 
which could call in such auxiliaries. Gen. Gates was not deficient 
in aggravating, by several publications, the excesses that had taken 
place, and with no small advantage to his own military operations. 

On the 18th of September, Gen. Burgoyne, having been very 
short of piovisions, at length received a supply for :ihout tliirty 
days, together with other necessary stores. He then resolved 
upon passing Hudson's river with the army, whicli having e.xe-. 
cuted, he encamped on the heights and on the plain of Saratog;?., 



266 THE HISTORY OF 

The Americans, observing' the motions of t!ie royal army, marched 
out 3000 strong-, in order to attack him, but found that to be pru- 
dentially impracticable. However, they drew up in full view of 
Jiim, and there remained till dark. 

The next day some of the American scouting, parties fell in 
with those of the British, and with great boldness began the attack 
about one o'plock at noon. The fi.*ing was no sooner heard by 
Gen. Phillips, than he made his way, with a part of the artillery, 
through the woods, and rendered essential services. Each com- 
mander supported, reinforced, and ordered different regiments to 
engage. The battle was hot and obstinam on both sides, till 
about half past two o'clock, when it ceased for half an hour. The 
American and British lines being fully formed, the action was re- 
newed, and became general at three. Both armies appeared de- 
termined to co.ivj^uer or die, and there was one continual blaze of 
lire for three hours without intermission ; the report of the mus- 
kets resembled an incessant roll-beating on a number of drums. 
The Americans and British alternately drove and were driven by 
each other. Three British regiments, the 20th, the 21st, and the 
62d, were in constant and close fire for near four hours. All suf- 
fered considerable loss : the 62d, which was 500 strong when it 
left Canada, was now reduced to less than 60 men, and to four or 
five officers. Few actions have been characterised, by more ob- 
stinacy in attack or defence, than was the present. Both parties 
claimed the victory, though neither had much advantage to boast 

of. 

From this time till near the middle of October, battles and 
skirmishes continually took place between the two armies, and the 
British were sadly reduced and weakened. On the 13th Gen, 
Burgoyne, finding that the troops had only three days provision in 
store on 'short allowance, and no apparent means of retreat re- 
maining, called into council all the generals, field-officers, and cap- 
tains commanding troops. There was not a spot of ground in the 
whole camp for holding the council of war, but what was exposed to 
cannon or rifle shot ;* and while the council was deliberating, an 
eie-hteen-pound ball crossed the table. By the unanimous advice 
of the council, the general was induced to open a treaty with Gen« 
Gates The first proposals of the latter were rejected, and the 
sixth article with disdain, wherein it was required, that the British 
army should lay down tlieir arms in their intrenchments. Bur- 
c-oyne's counter- proposals were unanimously approved, and being 
sent to Gates were agreed to, on the 15th, without any material 

alteration. ., . • i,^ x- n 

Gen Gates being fearful of the consequences that might follow, 
should Gen. Vaughan with his troops come up in time to Burgoyne's 
assistance, determined upon bringing the matter to an immediate 
issue On the morning of the ITth, he got every thing m readiness 
for attacking the royal armv. This done, he took out his watch, the 
time agreed for signing being come. He then sent Col Greaton 
on horseback to Burgoyne with a message, requirmg the general to 



NORTH AMERICA, 267 

&ign, and~ allowed him no more than ten minutes to t^o and return- 
He was back in time, the treaty was signed, all hostile appearances 
ceased, and the Americans marched into the British lines to the 
tune of Yankee Doodle. They were kept there until the royal 
army had marched out of their lines, and deposited their arms at 
the place appointed by the treaty. 

The delicacy with which this business was conducted reflects 
the hig-hest honour upon the American'' g-eneral. It intimated, 
that he was sensible of the mortification attending" a reverse of for- 
tune, and that he was unwilling- to ag-g-ravate the painful feelings of 
the royal troops, by admitting- the American soldiers to be eye-wit- 
nesses to the degrading- spectacle of piling their arms. Wlien the 
arms were deposited agreeable to treaty, the royal troops were 
served with bread by the Americans, as they h^id not any left nor 
flour to nj^ke it. Tliey had only one day's salt meat remaining'. 

The treaty vvas styled, *' A convention between Lieut. Gen* 
Burgoyne and M-ijor Gen. Gates." Among other articles it was 
stipulated, *• That the troops under Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne shall 
march out of their camp with the honours of war, and the artillery 
of the entrenchments, to the verge of the river, where the arms and 
artillery are to be left. — The xm-. to be piled by word of command 
from their own officers. — A fiv e passage to be granted to the royal 
army to Great Britain, upon condition of not serving again in 
North America during the present contest ; and the port of Boston 
to be assigned for the entry of transports to receive the troops, 
whenever Gen. Howe shall so order. — The officers* baggage not to 
be molested or searched. — During the stay of the troops in the 
Massachusetts bay, the officers are to be admitted on parole, and 
be allowed to wear their side-arms." 

The return signed by Gen. Burgoyne, at the time of the conven- 
tion, made the British army, including Germans, amount to 5791, 
which was very short of the number they had on setting out from 
Canada, The train of brass artillery, consisting of 42 pieces, was 
a fine acquisition to the Americans. There were also 4647 mus- 
kets, 6000 dozen of cartridg'es, besides shot, carcasses, shells, &c. 

Had Clinton advanced in time, Burgoyne would have been 
saved ; but the troops he dispatched under Gen Vaughan amused 
themselves with burning j£sopus, a fine village in the neighbour- 
hood of Stillwater. Gen. Vaughan with a flood tide, might have 
reached Albany in four hours, as there v/as no force to hinder him. 
Had he proceeded thither, and burnt the stores, Gates as he him- 
self afterwards declared, must have retreated into New England. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDED IN THIS CHAPTER. 

1776 Wretched State of the armies under the Generals V/as hington 

and Gates. 
~— — 2^ew Tori taken by the royalforces. 

The battle of the White Plains. 

-■=~— A body of Hessians defeated at Trenton. 



26S THE HISTORY OF 

1T77 Gen. IIov:e embarks his army from Statsn Island': 

Gen. Burgoyne proceeds to Croian Point. 

— — Ticonderoga and Mount Independence evacuated. 

•— — Flag of the United States erected. 

• Battle at the Bra7id]nvine. 

— ' — Account cf Miss M Rea' s death. 

" Americans engage the British under Gen. Burgoyne. 

Distress and Calamity cf the -Royal army. 

: Gen. Burgoyne ba^ffied in all his designs. 

— — Signs the Co?ivention. 7 
Jllsopus hurnf by the troops under Gen. Vaughan. 



CHAP. VII. 

Towards tliee-od af October, 1777, the royal army, uncki^- 
the command of Sir William Howe removed to Philadelpliia. 
Measures being- concerted between the general and admiral 
for clearing the Delaware of its obstructions, the former ordered 
batteries to be erected on the western or Pennsylvanian shore, to 
assist in dislodging- the Americans from Mud Island. He also 
detached a strong- body of Hessians cross the river, who were to 
reduce the fort at Red-bank, while the sliips and batteries on the 
other side were to attack Mud Island. Count Donop, in the ser- 
vice of tlie English, was intrusted with tlie expedition against 
Red-bank ; but he failed in the attempt. He was mortally wound- ' 
ed iind taken prisoner, several of his best officers were killed or 
disabled, and the Hessians, after a desperate engagement, were 
repulsed. The second in command being also dangerously w^ound- 
cJ, the detachment was brought off by Lieut Col. Linsing. It is 
said that the royal detachment lost, on this oocasion, between four 
and five ii.indred men. 

The expedition against Mud Island met with better success, 
the Americans being driven from thence, and forced to retire to 
Red bank. 

On the night of the 18Lh of November, Lord Cornwallis march- 
ed with a considerable force, and tlie next day crossed the Dela- 
ware, in his way to Red-bank, which the Americans abandoned, 
leaving behind them the artillery, and a considerable quantity of 
cannon ball. The English generals confesaed, that the long and 
unexpected opposition they received at Red-bank and Mud Island^ 
broke in upon their plans for the remainder of the campaign. 

On the third of May, 1778, Mr. Silas Deane arrived in America 
express from France, with very important dispatches. The Con- 
gress was immediately convened, and the dispatches opened and 
read, among which, to their inexpressible joy, were a treaty of 
commerce, and a treaty of alliance, concluded between his most 
Christian majesty, the king of France and the United States o£ 



NORTH AMERICA. 269 

America. The treaties were duly weig-hed and considered sepa-^ 
rately the next day, and upon each it was unanimously resolved, 
*' That the same be, and is hereby accepted.'* The next resolu- 
tion was, ** That tkis Congress entertain the highest sense of the 
magnanimity and wisdom of iiis most Christian majesty, so strong- 
iy exemplified in the treaty of amity and commerce ; and the com- 
missioners representing their states, at the court of France, are 
directed to present the grateful acknowledgments of this Congress 
to his most Christian majesty, for his truly magnanimous conduct 
respecting these states, in the said generous and disinterested 
treaties, and to assure his majesty, on the part of this Congress, 
it is sincerely wished, that the friendship so happily commenced 
between France and these United States may be perpetual." 

The Congress, after receiving the treaties, had a stronger feel- 
ing of their own importance than before, and resolved, *' That 
the commissioners a,ppointed for the courts of Spain, Tuscany, Vi- 
enna, and Berlin, should live in such style and manner at their re- 
spective courts, as they may find suitable and necessary to support 
the dignity of their public character." 

On the first of May, they agreed to a draught of " An address td 
the inhabitants of the United States o? America." In thispublicatioii 
when they come to the French treaty, they say, "You have still 
to expect one severe conflict. Your foreign alliances, though they 
secure your independence, cannot secure your country from deso- 
lation, your habitations from plunder, your wives from insult or 
violation, nor your children from butchery Foiled in the principal 
design, you must expect to feel the rage of disappointed ambition. 
Arise then- 1 to your tents, and gird you for battle ! It is time to 
turn the headlong current of vengeance upon the head &f the de- 
stroyer. They have filled up the measure of their abominations, 
and like fruit must soon drop from the tree. Althougli much is 
done, yet much remains to do. Expect not peace, while any cor- 
ner of America is in the possession of your foes. You must drive 
them away from this land of Promise, a land flowing indeed wim 
milk and honey. Your brethren at the extremities of the conti- 
nent already implore your friendship and protection. It is you-- 
duty to grant their request. They hunger and thirst after liberty. 
Be it yoursto dispense to them the heavenly gift. And what is 
there now to prevent it." 

In the month of May, the Ameiican Randolph frigate of 36 
guns, and 305 men, sailed on a cruise from Cliarieston. The. 
Yarmouth, of 64 guns discovered her and five other vessels, anci 
came up with her in the evening. Capt. Vincent hailed tlie Ran- 
dolph to hoist colours, or he would fire into her; on which she 
hoisted American, and immediately gave the Yarmouth her broad ■> 
side, which was returned, and in about a quarter of an hour Eii'e 
blew up. Four men saved themselves upon a piece of her wreck, 
and subsisted for five days upon nothing more than rain watei j 
which they sucked from a piece of blanket they had picked up. 
On the fifth, the Yarmouth being in chase of a ship, happily dis- 
:over€d them v/aving. The captain humanely suspended thq 



SrO THE HISTORY Ol 

cjiase, hauled up to the wreck, got a boat out, and brought them 
on board. 

On the 7th of May, the second battalion of British light infantr}', 
in fiat boats, attended by three gallies and other armed boats, pro-, 
ceeded up the Delaware, in order to destroy all the American 
ships and vessels lying in the river between Philadelphia and 
Trenton. They landed the next morning, advanced towai-ds Bor- 
dentown, drove the Americans that opposed them,entered the town, 
and burnt four store-houses, containing provisions, tobacco, some 
military stores and camp equipage. The country being alarmed, 
and a strong body collected, the battalion crossed to the Pennsyl- 
vanian shore. The next day they resumed theiroperationa, and 
at sun-set embarked and returned to Philadelphia. While upon 
the expedition, they burnt two frigates, one of 32, the other of 28 
l^uns ; nine large ships, three privateer sloops of 16 guns each, 
three often guns, twenty -three brigs, with a number of sloops and 
schoor.ers. Two of the ships were loaded with tobacco, ruin, and 
military stores, 

Gen. Howe was succeeded in the command of the army by Sir 
Henry Clinton, who arrived at Philadelphia on the 8tli of May. 

On the 6th of February, the treaties between France and the 
United States were signed. The alliance between these two pow- 
ers was known to the British ministry soon after they were signed. 
Mr. Fox, in a debate in the House of Commons five days after- 
wards, asserted that the number of men lost to the army, killed, 
lisabled, deserted, and from various other causes, from the com- 
mencement of hostilities with America to that periods amounted 
to above twenty thousand. 

On the 17th, l.,ord North introduced his conciliatory proposi- 
■lons. His plan was to enable the crown to appoint commissioners 
to treat with the colonies concerning the means of putting an end 
to those unhappy contests ; for which five persons were invested 
with ample powers. His lordship said in his speech, that Gen. 
Howe had been, in the late actions, and in the whole course of 
the campaign, not only in the goodness of troops, and in all man- 
ner of supplies, but also in point of numbers, much superior to 
tlie American array that opposed him in the field ; that Gen. Bur- 
^oyne had been in numbers, until the affai<» at Bennington, nearly 
ivvice as strong as the army of tlie enemy ; that he promised a 
.^reat army should be .<^ent out, and that a great army had accord- 
ingly been sent out, to the amount of 60,000 men and i'pv*'ards. 

The speech w&s long, able, and eloquent, and kept him up two 
full hours. A dull melancholy silence for some time succeeded. 
It was heard with profound attention, but without a single mark of 
approbation. Astonishment, dejection, and fear, overclouded the 
\vhole assembly. It whs conjectured, that some powerful motive 
had induced the ministry to adopt such an alteration of measures. 
This idea was confirmed by the positive assertion of Mr. Fox, that 
a treaty had been signed at Paris between the colonies and 
France, by which she recognised their independence. 



NORTH AMERICA. on 

On the 13th of March, the French ambassador delivered a re- 
script to Lord Weymouth, in which he informed the court of 
London, that the king- had signed a treaty of friendship and com- 
merce with the United States of America. The knowledge of 
this transaction was communicated under the parade of cultivating 
the good understanding between France and Great Britain. 

On the 21st of March, a public audience and reception were 
given to the American commissioners, Messrs. Franklin, Deane, 
and Lee, by the French monarch They were introduced by 
Mons Vergennes, and received by the king with the usual formai- 
ities and ceremonies. The striking acknowledgment of the pleni- 
potentiaries from the United States mortified the ministry and 
crown of Great Britain, and may be pronounced the political phe- 
nomenon of Europe. The day before it was exhibited, tlie French 
ambassador, in consequence of orders to quit London set out for 
Paris. 

From this time, the courts of London and Versailles were busied 
in fitting out their fleets, which met each other in the month of 
July, The English fleet was commanded by the admirals Keppel, 
Palliser, and Harland. But, as the action of that day is amply re- 
lated in our History of England, we shall not introduce in these 
annals of America, an account of so foul a tarnish to the British 
Bag. 

In the beg-inningof June, the Trident British man of war arrived 
in the Delaware, with tlie Eurl of Carlisle, Mr. Eden, and Gov, 
Johnstone, three of the commissioners for restoring peace between 
Great Britain and America. 

On the 18th of June, at three o'clock in the morning, the British 
evacuated Philadelphia, Mr. Eden having brought with him se- 
cret instructions from England for that purpose. They proceeded 
to Gloucester Point, three miles down the river, and before ten 
the whole had passed in safety cross the Delaware into New Jersey. 

When intelligence of Sir Henry Clinton's having evacuated 
Philadelphia reached the American head quarters. Gen. Washing, 
ton took his measures accordingly. Several skirmishes happened 
between the Americans ai\d the regulars with various success, till 
on the 30th of June the royal array arrived in the neiglibourhood of 
Sandy Hook. During the course of the march from, Philadelphia, 
the royal army was much reduced, upwards of 800 having deserted, 
a great number of whom were Hessians. 

On the 5th of July, the army passed over a bridge of boats cross 
narrow channel to Sandy Hnok, and were afterwards carried up to 
New York. On the 7th, Lord Howe received advice that the 
squadron from Toulon v/as arrived at Virginia Count d'Estaing 
anchored on the 8th at night at the entrance of the Delaware. 
The next morning, he weighed and sailed towards the Hook, and 
on the evening of the Uth anchored without it. Had not bad 
weather and unexpected impediments prevented, the count must 
have surprized Howe's fleet in the Delaware, as the latter would 
not have had time to escape after being apprised of his danger. The 



272 TRE HISTORY OP 

destruction of the fleet must have been the consequence of such 
a surprisal, and that must have occasioned the inevitable loss of 
the royal army, which would have been so enclosed by the French 
squadron on the one side, and the American forces on the other, 
that the Saratoga catastrophe must have been repeated. Lord 
Howe's fleet consisted only of six sixty -four gun ships, three of 
fifty, and two of forty, with some frigates and sloops. Count 
d'Estaing- had twelve ships of the line, some of whicJi were of 
great force and weight 

On the 22:1 of July, the count sailed from Sandy Hook, when 
about twenty sail of vessels bouud to New York fell into his pos- 
session. They were chiefly prizes taken from the Americans i 
but, had he stayed a few days longer. Admiral Byron's fleet must 
have fallen a defenceless prey into their hands. That squadron 
had met with unusual bad weather, and being separated in differ- 
ent storms, and lingering through a tedious passage, arrived scat- 
tered, broken, sickly, dismasted, or otherwise damaged in various 
degrees of distress,, upon diflf'erent and remote parts of the Amer- 
ican coast Between the departure of d'Estaing and the 30th of 
July, the Renown of 50 guns from the West Indies, the Raisona- 
ble and Centurion of 64, and the Cornwall of 74 guns, all arrived 
singly at Sandv Hook. By d'Estaing'« speedy departure a number 
of provision ships from Cork escaped also, together with their con- 
voy. They went up the Delaware within fifty miles of Philadel- 
phia afterLord Howe had quitted the river, not having obtained 
any information. of what hadhappened» The British ministry had 
neglected countermandiu'g their destination, though orders for 
the evacuation of Philadelphia had been sent oiF so early, as to 
have admitted of their receiving fresh instructions where to have 
Steered before sailing. Great rejoicings were made at New York 
upon their safe arrival, especially as provisions were much wanted . 
both.by the fleet and army. 

Let us now quit the military operations for the present, and take 
a view of the pending negociations. Gov. Johnstone, meaning to 
avail himself of former connections, endeavoured to corainence or 
renew a private correspondence witli several members of congress, 
and other persons of consideration. In his letters to them he used 
a freedom with the authority under which he acted, not customary 
with those entrusted with delegated power, and afforded sucli a 
degree of approbation to the Americans in the past resistance they 
had made, as is seldoiTrt granted by negociators to their opponents. 
In a letter to Joseph Reed, Esq. of Apj?Il the 11th, he said, *' The 
Hian, who can be instrumental in bringing us all to act ouce more 
in harmony, and to unite together the various powers which this 
contest has brought forth, will deserve more from the king and 
people, from patriotism,, humanity, and all the tender ties that are 
effected by the quarrel and reconciliation, than ever was yet be- 
stowed on human kind." 

On the 16th of Jone, he wrote to Robert Morris, Esq. " I be- 
lieve the men, who have conducted the afFaii's of America, inca- 
pable of being influenced by improper motives ; but in all sucU 



NORTH AMETIICA, 2fS 

a'ansactioiis there is risk, and I think thafe whoever ventures should 
be secured ; at the same time that honour and emolument should 
naturally follow the fortune of those, who have steered the vessel 
in the storm, and brought her safely to port. I think Washingtoa 
and the president have a right to every favour that a grateful na- 
tion can bestow, if they could once more unite our interest, and 
spare the miseries and devastation of v/ar," 

On Sunday the 21st of June, Mr. Reed received a written mes» 
sage from Mrs, Ferguson, expressing a desire to see him on busi- 
ness, which could not be committed to writing. On his attending 
in the evening, agreeable to her appointment, after some previous 
conversation, she enlarged upon the great talents and amiable 
qualities of Gov. Johnstone, and added, that in several conversa- 
tions with her, he had expressed the most favourable sentiments 
of Mr. Reed ; that it was particularly wished to engage his inter- 
est to promote the object of the British commissioners, viz a re- 
union with the two countries, if consistent with his principlfe& 
and judgment ; and in such case it could not be deemed unbecom- 
ing or improper in the British government to take a favourable 
notice of such conduct ; and that, in this instance, Mr. Reed 
might-have ten thousand pounds sterling, and any office in the co- 
lonies in his majesty's gift. 

Mr. Reed, finding an answer was expected, replied, " I am 
not worth purchasing ; but, such as I am, the king of Great Bri- 
tain is not rich enough to do it." However right the principles 
might be, on which this insinuating scheme of conciliation was a- 
dopted, its effect were inimical. 

On the 9th of July, congress ordered, " That all letters re- 
ceived by members of congress from any of the British 
commissioners, or their agents, or from any subject of the king- 
of Great Britain, of a public nature, be laid before congress.^ 
The preceding letters being communicated, and Mr. Reed mak- 
ing a declaration of what had passed within his knowledge, con- 
gress resolved, " That the same connot be considered but as di- 
rect attempts to corrupt and bribe the congress ; that as congress 
feel, so they ought to demonstrate, the highest and most pointed 
indignation against such daring and attrocious attempts to corrupt 
their integrity ; and that.it is^ incompatible with the honour of con- 
gress to hold any manner of correspondence or intercourse with 
the said George Johnstone, Esq. especially to negociate with him 
upon affairs, in which the cause of liberty is concerned." 

The proceedings in this business were expressed in the form of 
a declaration, a copy of which was ordered to be signed by the 
president, and sent by a flag to the commissioners at New York. 

These proceedings produced a very angry and violent declara- 
tion from Gov. Johnstone, in which the immediate operations of 
passion and disappointment were too conspicuous. The language 
of his publication but poorly agreed with the high and flattering 
compliments he had so lately lavished on the Americans, in those 
very letters, which were the subject of the present contest. U 



2/4 THE HISTORY OF 

was dated the 26th of August, and transmitted to congress ; tO" 
gather with a declaration of the same date fi-om Lord Carlisle, Sir 
Henry Clinton, and Mr. Eden, which went to a solemn and total 
disavowal, so far as related to the present subject, of their having 
had any knowledge, directly or indix'ectly, of those matters speci- 
fied by congress. 

Thus were all hopes of further negociation with congress at an 
end. Had Lord North, and the rest of the ministry then in being, 
adopting these corrupting measures in the more early part of tlie 
American disputes, it is possible they might have succeeded ; but 
to attempt it at a time, when the spirits of the Americans were 
raised to the highest pitch by their new alliance with France, was 
surely little short of folly and madness. 

On the 6th of August, the Hon. Sieur Gerard was introduced 
to the congress, in quality of minister plenipotentiary, who pro- 
duced a letter from his master the king of France to his very dear 
greatfriends and allies ; and the compliments Mons. Gerard receiv- 
ed on this occasion were very different from those sentiments the 
Americans lately entertained of their now faithful allies. 

On the 14th of September, congress proceeded to the election 
of a minister plenipotentiary to the court of France, when Dr, 
Benjamin Franklin was elected by ballot. His instructions were 
dated the 26th of October, and by them he was directed to obtain, 
if possible, the French king's consent to expunge two of the arti- 
cles in the treaty of commerce. The doctor was to inculcate the 
certainty of ruining the British fishery on the banks of Newfound- 
land, and consequently the British marine, by reducing Halifax and 
Quebec. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECOHDED IN THIS CHAPTER. 

177i Count Danop repulsed in the attack upon Red Bank. 

Mud Island reduced. v 

Congress receive the treaties concluded between Trance and Me 

United States. 
177B The Randolph American frigate blown up. 

Sir Henry Clinton succeeds Gen. Ho^ue in A^nerica. 

The treaties between France and the United States signed. 

Lord North^s conciliatory propositions. 

Mess. Franklin, JDeane, and l,ee, have a public audience 

at the French court. 
The British army evacuates Philadelphia. 
Skirmishes between the English and ATntricans. 
The British forces arrive at Sandy Hook. 
Governor Johnstone attempts to corrupt certain MeTnbers 

of the congress. 
Dr. Franklin sent as Minister to the court of France. 



NORTH AMERICA. 275 

CHAP. VIII. 

i HE campaign in the nofthern states having" produced nothing 
advantag-eous to the British, and the winter being the proper sea- 
son for southern expeditions. Sir Henry Clinton conehided upon 
turning- his arms against Georgia He might propose to himself 
the reduction of all the southern states, and he strongly inclined 
to it, by reason that these states produced the most valuable arti- 
cles of commerce for the European market, and carried on a con- 
siderable export trade, which appeared no otherwise affected by 
the war, than as it suffered from the British cruisers. The rice 
was devoted to the service of its enemies, while it was wanted for 
the support of the royal fleet and army in America. A plan of 
operations was concerted with Gen. Prevost, who commanded in 
East Florida ; and it was intended, that Georgia should be invad- 
ed both on the north and south sides at the same time. 

This expedition was committed to Col Campbell, and the forces 
appointed to act under him amounted to full 25 jO, which sailed 
from Shandy Hook, on the 27th of November, being escorted by a 
small squadron under commodore Hyde Parker. The fleet arrived 
at the Isle of Tibee, near the mouth of the Savannah, and on the 
29th of December, the troops effected a landing. They were no 
sooner landed, than they were led to attack the fort, which the 
British persisted in with so much spirit and rapidity, that the 
Americans retreated with precipitation and disorder. No victory 
was ever more complete : thirty eight officers, and 415 non-com- 
missioned and privates, 38 pieces of cannon, 23 mortars, the fort 
with its ammunition and stores, the shipping in the river, a large 
quantity of provisions, with the capital of Georgia, were all, 
v/ithin the space of a few hours in the possession of the British 
troops. 

Tb% 30th of December was appointed as a thanksgiving-day^ 
by order of congress. The affairs of the United States were at 
this period !n a most distressed, deplorable, and ruinous condition. 
Idleness, dissipation, and extravagance, seemed to have engross- 
ed the attention of the generality of the American sons of liberty ; 
and self-interest, speculation, and an insatiable thirst for riches, 
appeared to have got the better of every other consideration, and 
almost of every order of men Party disputes and personal quar- 
rels were too much the general object, while the momentous con- 
cerns of the empire, a vast accumulated debt, ruiaed finances, de- 
preciated money, and want of credit, which naturally brings on 
the want of every thing, were but secondary considerations^ and 
postponed by congress from time to time, as if their affairs were in 
the most flourishing situation The paper currency in Philadel- 
phia was daily sinking, and at length even so low as fifty per cent, 
yet an assembly, a concert, a dinner or supper, which cost two or 
three hundred pounds, did not only take men off from acting, but 



276 THE HISTORY OF 

even from thinking of what ought to have been neare&t their hearts. 
Some of the most disinterested and patriotic Americans felt more 
-distress from this review of things, than thej'^ had done at any o- 
ther time, from the disappointments and losses in the course of 
the war. 

In the mean time, Mons. Gerard, the French ambassador, ma- 
nifested a desire, thiit the war might not be prolonged by too high 
and unreasonable demands, and that the United States would re- 
duce their ultimatum as low as possible. He strongly recommend- 
ed moderation, as the fate of war was uncertain ; and he hinted, 
that a decisive naval engagement, in favour ®f the British, might 
give a great turn to their affairs. 

The South-Carolina delegates, rather with a view to conquest, 
than from any special apprehension of danger to their own or 
neighbouring states from the troops under Gen. Clinton, requested 
the Congress to appoint Gen. Lincoln, on whose character they 
justly reposed great confidence, to the command of all the forces 
to the southward. Accordingly they made the appointment on the 
25th of September, and ordered him immediately to repair to 
Charleston. 

On the 2d of March, the American officer of the day reported, 
that reconnoitring parties of the enemy's horse and foot had been 
seen within their piquet the night preceding. Gen. Ashe, who had 
crossed the Savannah with about 1200 troops, besides 200 light 
horse, returned on the evening of the same day to his camp. ^ In 
«hort, the conduct of gen. Ashe was so pusilanimous, that he made 
no preparations to impede the march of the British, and, soon af- 
ter their appearance, he and his troops fled with precipitation, 
without firing a gun. 

In the month of May, sir Henry Clinton dispatched, sir George 
Collier and Gen Matthews, with ^out 2000 men, besides 500 ma- 
Tines, to m >ke a descent upon Virginia. They sailed for Portsmuuth 
in that province, and upon their arrival landed their troops at a dis- 
tance, then marched, and took immediate possession of the towm, 
which was defenceless The remains of Norfolk,_on the opposite 
side of the river, fell of course into their hands. On the approach 
of the fleet and army, the Americans burnt several vessels, others 
were saved and possessed by the British The guards were push- 
ed forward eighteen miles by night to Suffolk, where they arrived 
by day light, and proceeded to destroy a magazine of provisions, 
together with the vessels and naval stores found there. A similar 
destruction was carried on at other places in that quarter, nor 
were the frigates and armed vessels less active or successful in 
their service. 

Within the fortnight that the fleet and army continued upon the 
coast, the loss of the Americans was prodigious. Above 130 ves- 
sels of all sorts, including some privateers and ships of force, vyere 
destroyed or taken by them ; seventeen prizes were brought av/ay^ 
besides 3000 hhds. of tobacco, which fell into tli^eir possession at 
Portsmouth. Except the house of a widow ixnS the diui-ch, they 



NORTH AMERICA, 277 

burnt every house in Suffolk, and all the principal houses of gen- 
tlemen in this route shared the same fate. 

On the 30th of May, the troops were joined to others goln.^ up 
the North river to attack the posts of Stoney point and Verplank, 
where the Americans had begun to construct strong works, for 
keeping the lower communication open between the eastern and 
southern states. Gen. Vaughan landed with the greater part on the 
east-side, wlvde the remainder, accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton, 
advanced further up, landed on the west side, and took possess' on 
of Stoney point without opposition. Directly opposite, the Ameri- 
cans had completely finished a strong fort, which was defended by 
four pieces of artillery, and a garrison of about seventy men. But 
it was commanded by Stoney point ; to the summit of whose rocks 
cannon and mortars were dragged up during the night. By five in 
the morning, a battery was opened, which poured a storm of fire 
on the fort, while Vaughan»with his division, making a long circuit 
by thfi sides of the hills, arrived, and closely invested it by land. — 
The garrison, finding themselves totally overpowered, surrendered 
themselves prisoners of war. By tlie loss of these posts, the Jersey 
•people were obliged to make a circuit of about ninety miles vinder 
the mountains, to communicate with the states east of Hudson's 
river. 

After the French had taken Grenada, and Count d'Estaing was 
lying with his fleet at Cape Francois, he received letters from Gov. 
Rutledge, Gen„ Lincoln, the French consul at Charleston, and 
others, urging him to visit the American coast, and proposhig an 
attack upon Savannah. The general engaged to join him with a 
thousand men certain, and promised that every exertion should be 
made to increase the number. The application coinciding with the 
^king's instructions, to act in concert with the forces of tlie United 
States, whenever an occasion presented itself, he sailed for the A 
merican continent within a few days after it was received. 

On the 1st of September, count d'Estaing arrived with a fleet of 
twenty sail of the line, two of fifty guns, and eleven frigates. The 
appearance of the French fleet on the coasts of South Carolina and 
Georgia was so unexpected by the British, that the Experimeril: 
man of war,of fifty guns Si-r James Wallace, commander, and three 
frigates were captured. No sooner was itkno^n at Cliarleston, 
that the count was on the coast, than Lincoln marched with all ex- 
pedition for Savannah, Vvith the troops under his command ; and 
orders were also given for tbe South Carolina and Georgia militia 
to rendezvous immediately near the same place. Tlie British were 
eqtially diligent in preparing for their defencie. 

The French and Americans, after having spent some time in 
making regular approaches, at last determined to take the place 
by storm. Accordingly, the morning of the 9th of October was 
fixed for the attack, and neither the French nor the Americans 
had the least doubts of success. 

Two feints were made with the country militia, and area! attack 
^. little before day light, on the spring-hiil battery, with three tuou^ 



27S THE HISTORY Of 

sand nve hundred French troops, 600 continentals, and 350 of the 
Charleston militia, headed by count d'Estaing and Gen. Lincoln. 
They marched up to the lines with great boldness ; but a heavy 
and well directed fire from the batteries, and a cross fire from the 
g'allies, threw the front of the column into confusion. Two stand- 
ards, however, one an American, were planted on the British re- 
doubts. Count Pulaski, at the head of 200 horsemen, was in full 
g'allop, riding into town between the redoubts, with an intention of 
charging in the rear, when he received a mortal wound. A general 
retreat of the assailants took place, after they had stood the ene- 
my's fire for fifty five minutes. D'Estaing received two slight 
wounds ; 637 of his troops, and 234 of the continentals, were kil- 
led or wounded. Of the 350 Charleston militia, who were in the 
hottest of the fire, only six were wounded, and a captain killed. — 
Gen. Prevcst and Maj, MonGrieflT deservedly acquired great repu* 
tation by their suceesssful defence. Tliere w-ere not ten guns mount- 
ed on the lines when the enemy first appeared, and in a few days 
the number exceeded eighty. The garrison was between two and 
three thousand, including 150 militia. The damage it sustained 
was trifling, as the men fired under cover, and £ew of the assail- 
ants fired at all. 

Let us TiGvv see what the northern army was doing. In the mid- 
dle of Dec. a part of Gen. Washington's army was without bread ; . 
and for the rest he had not, either on the spot or within reach, a 
supply sufficient for four days. Both oflEicers and men were almost 
perishing through want for a fortnight. The deficiency proceeded 
from the absolute -emptiness of the American magazines in every 
place, and the total want of money and credit to replenish them. 
So that the general was obliged to call upon the magistrates of the 
Jersey State, to express his situation to them, and to declare ia 
plain terms, that he and liis army were reduced to the alternative 
of disbanding or catering for themselves, unless the inhabitants, 
would afford' them aid. "He allotted to each county a certain pro- 
portion of flour or grain, and a certain number of cattle to be deli- 
vered on certain days. To the honour of the magistrates, and the 
good dispositions of the people, be it added, that these requisiti- 
ous were punctually complied with, and in many cowities exceeded. 

But to return to the southern armies. On the 20th of March, 
1780. admiral Arbuthnot, with a small fleet, crossed the bar, in 
front of RebeUion road, and anchored in Five Fatliom Hole. The 
American fleet retreated to Charleston, and the crews and guns of 
all the vessels, except the Ranger, were put on shore to reinforce 
the batteries. Bfefore the Americans had taken this j-tep, they 
should have considered, whether the ships were able to defend 
the bar, and should have sent them off, when they found it imprac- 
ticable. 

On the 12th of April, the British opened their biUteries against 
Charleston, and a constant fire was kept up between both parties 
until (lie 20th. On the 18th of April, Sir Henry Clinton received 
a reinforcement of 3^00 meit from New-York ; smd on the 12th of 



NORTH AMERICA. 279 

May, Gen. Lincoln, after having made the most vigorous defence 
he was capable of, was obliged to capitulate. It was stipulated,^ 
that the continental troops and sailors should remain prisoners of 
war until exchanged, and be provided with good and wholesome 
provisions, in such quantities as were served out to the British 
troops. The militia were to return home as prisoners on parole, 
which, as long as they observed, was to secure them from being 
molested in their property by the British troops. The officers of 
the army and navy were to keep their swords, pistols, and bag- 
gage, which last was not. to be searched ; but their horses were 
not to go out of toivn, but might be disposed of by a person left 
for the purpose. The garrison, at an hour appointed, was to march 
out of the town to the ground between the works of the place and 
the canal, where they were to deposit their arms. The drums 
were not to beat a British march, nor the colours to be uncased. 
All civil officers and citizens, who had borne arms during the 
siege, were to be prisoners on parole -, and with respect to their 
property in the city, they were to have the same terms as the mi- 
litia ; and all oil>er persons in the town, not described in any arti- 
cle, were notwithstanding to be prisoners upon parole. 

The capital having surrendered, the next object of the British 
was to secure the general submission of the inhabitants. With 
this view they posted garrisons in different parts of the couiUry, and 
marched a large body of troops over the Santee, towards the ex- 
tremity of the State, which borders on the most populous parts of 
North Carolina. This occasioned the retreat of some American 
parties, who had advanced into the upper part of S^uth Carolina, 
in expectation of relieving Charleston. Among the corps whicJi 
had come forward with that v\e\\\ there was one consisting of about 
300 continentals, the rear of the Virginia line, commanded ])y Col. 
Buford. Tarleton, with about 700 horse and foot, was sent in 
quest of this party. Having mounted his infantry, he marched 
105 miles in fifteen hours, came up with them at the Waxhaws, 
and demanded their surrender on terms similar to those granted 
to the continentals at Charleston. While the flags were passing 
and repassing on this business, Tarleton kept his men in motion, 
and when the truce was ended, had nearly surrounded his advcr- 
saries. An action instantly ensued, when the continental party, 
having partaken of the general consternation occasioned by the 
British successes, made but a feeble resistance, and begged for 
quarter. A few, however, continued to fire. The British cavalry 
advanced, but were not opposed by the main body of the conti- 
nentals, who conceived themselves precluded by their submission. 
The accidental firing of the few was an argument, however, for 
directing the British legion to charge those who had laid down 
feheir arms. In consequence of this order, the uiiresisting Amer- 
icans, praying for quarter, were cut in pieces. By Tarleton's offi- 
cial account of this bloody scene, 113 were killed, 50 badly wound- 
ed, unable to travel, and left on parole, .nnd 53 made prisoners, 
while they made such ineffectual opposition as only to kill seven 



280 THE HISTORY OF 

and wound twelve of the Brkish. Lord Cornwallis bestowed oa 
Tarleton the highest encomiums for this enterprize, and recom- 
mended hii^i iu a special manner to royal favour and patronage^ 

The expected succours at length arrived from France, on the 
evening of the 10th of July, at Rhode Island. The Chevalier de 
Ternay commanded the fleet, which consisted of two ships of 80^ 
guns, one of f4, four of 64, a homb vessel, and thirty -two trans- 
ports. The land forces consisted of four old regiments, besides 
the legion de Lauzu5i, and a battalion of artillery, amounting to 
about 6000 men, under the commaiKi of Lieut. Gen. Count de 
R.ochambeau. 

About the time that Charleston surrendered. Sir Henry Clinton 
received LntelligeRce, that a large number of forces and a French 
fleet, commanded by Mons. Ternay, might soon be expected on 
the American coast. This induced him to reembark for New York, 
leaving Lord Cornwallis with about 400& men,,which were deemed 
fully sufficient for his purposes. 

,On the 4th of September, was signed the plan of a treaty of 
commerce between the 'states of Holland and the United States 
of America. Mens, de Neufville, being properly authorized by 
the regency cf Amsterdam, engaged, that as long as America 
should not act contrary to the iBte:restof the states of Holland, th& 
city of Amsterdam would never adopt any measiu-e that might 
tend to oppose the interest of America; but would, on the con- 
trary, use all its influence upon the states of the Seven United 
Provinces cf iioHand, to effect the desii'ed connexion. This busi- 
ness was conducted by Mr. Adams, on the part of America. 

Lr)rd Cornwallis went on succcessfuily in South Carolina. On 
the 16th of August he engaged the forces under Gen. Gates^ and^ 
completely routed them after a long and obstinate contest. Gem, 
Gates was boine off the field by a torrent of dismayed militia. 
They constituted so great a part of his army, that when he saw 
them break and run with such precipitation, he lest every hope of 
victory ; and his only care was,, if possible, to rally a sufficient 
number to cover the retreat of the other troops. He retired with 
Gen. Caswell to Clermont, in hope of halting them in their late en- 
campment ; but the further they fled, the more they dispersed,, 
and the generals giving up all as lost, retired with a few attendants 
to Charlotte. _ - _ 

The Americans lost eight field pieces, the whole of their artil- 
lery, with all their ammunition waggons, besides 159 others, and 
a considerable quantity of military stores, and the greatest part o£ 
their baggage. The numbers slain cannot be precisely ascertain- 
ed, no returns of the militia ever being made after the action ; but 
it is supposed, tliat vjie Americans lost about 700 on this occa.sion. 
Though Cornwallis's victory was complete, yet, from the account 
the British gave of the action, it may be inferred, that it was dearly 
nou"-ht, upwards of 500 of their own troops being killed or wounded. 
A^minute representation of the retreat of the Americans from 
Charlotte to Salisbury, would be th.c image of complicated wretch-. 



NORTH AMERICA. 281 

edness, Care, anxiety, pain, humiliation and dejection, poverty, 
hurry and confusion, promiscuously marked the shocking scene. 
Painful objects presented themselves to view, several men with- 
out an arm, some with but one, and many standing- in need of ihe 
most kind and powerful assistance. 

Lord Cornvvalhs, notwithstanding- his victory, was restrained 
for some time from pursuing his conquests, by the loss he had sus^ 
tained in the battle, the extreme heat of the weather, the sickli- 
ness of the season, and the want of necessary supplies : he there- 
fore remained at Camden. 

In the month of September, a discovery of the utmost importance 
%vas madci which was a scheme for delivering- West Point into the 
hands of Sir Henry Clinton. Gen. Arnold, who had the command 
of that post, was brave but mercenary, fond of parade, and ex- 
tremely desirous of acquiring money to defray the expenses of it. 
When he entered Philadelphia after the evacuation he made Gov. 
Fenn's, the best house in it, his head quarters* This he furnished 
in a very costly manner, and lived in a style far beyond his income. 
He continued his extravagant course of living, Was unsuccessful in 
trade and privateering, his funds were exhausted, and his creditors 
importunate, while his lust for high life was not in the least abated. 
He had exhibited heavy accounts and demands against the public ; 
and the commissioners, upon examination, rejected about one half 
of the amount.- He appealed to Congress, and a committee was 
appointed, who were of opinion, that the commissioners had allow- 
ed more than the general had a right to expect or demand. This 
provoked him to outrageous expressions and proceedings. Dis- 
gusted at the treatment he had met with, embarrassed in his cir- 
cumstances, and having a growing expensive family, he turned his 
thoughts towards bettering his circumstances by new means. In 
1779, a coiTespondence commenced between Gen. Arnold and 
Major Andre, adjutant-general to the British army, a rising yo-ang 
officer of great hope and merit. 

For the speedy completion of the negotiation that was carrying 
on between Sir Henry and Gen. Arnoldy the Vulture sloop of war 
was stationed in the North river, at such a distance from the 
American posts, as, without exciting suspicion, would serve for 
the necessary communication. Before this, a written correspond- 
ence, through other channels, had been maintained between Ar- 
nold and Andre at New York, under the names of Gustavus and 
Anderson^ 

On the 21st of September, the necessary arrangements being 
made, a boat was sent at night from the shore to the Vulture' to 
fetch Major Andre, which brought him to the beach without the 
posts of either army^ where he met Arnold. The major con- 
tinued with him during the following day, and at night, the boat- 
men refusing to conduct him back to the" Vulture, which had shift- 
ed her position, as she lay exposed to the fire of a cannon sent to 
annoy l\er, he was obliged to concert his escape by land. He quit= 
ted his umform, which he had hitherto vrorn under his surtout, 



282 THE HISTORY OF 

for a common coat. He was furnished with a horse, and under 
the name of John Anderson, with a passport from Arnold, to go 
throuf^h the lines at White Plains, or lower if he thought proper, 
he being on public business. 

He pursued his journey alone to New York, passed all the 
guards and posts on the road without suspicion, and was much 
elated. The next day he travelled without any alarm, and bega;* 
to consider himself out of danger ; but, unhappily for him, three 
of the New York militia were with others out on a scouting party 
between the out-posts of the two armies. One of them sprung 
from his covert, and seized Andre's horse by the bridle. The 
The major, instead of instantly producing his pass, asked the rtian 
where he belonged to, who answered, '* To belonu.^^ Andre, sus- 
pecting no deceit, said, " 5*0 do V* Then declared himself a 
British officer, and pressed that he might not be detained, for that 
he was upon urgent business. Upon the other two coming up, and 
joining their comrade, he discovered his mistake. The confusion 
that followed was apparent, and they proceeded to search him till 
they found his papers. He offered the captors a considerable 
purse of gold, and a very valuable watch, to let him pass ; but 
they nobly disdained the temptation, besides the fascinating offers 
of permanent provision, and even of future promotion, on condition 
of their conveying and accompanying him to New York, They con- 
ducted him to Lieut. Col. Jameson, the continental officer, who had 
the command of the scouting parties, amounting to 8100 men, chiefly 
militiao Arnold's conduct with regard to this body of men, and in i 
other respects, had excited such suspicions in the breast of the 
iieutenant-colonel, and the rest of the officers, that they had de- 
termined upon seizing the general at all events, had he come down 
and ordered them nearer the enemy. Jameson, notwithstanding 
his strong jealousy of Arnold, was in the issue the means of his, 
escape. 

Major Andre, in order to give Arnold time to escape, requested 
that a line might be sent to acquaint him with the detention of 
Anderson, the name Andre had assumed, which Jameson through 
Sin illrjudged delicacy granted. The papers which were found 
in the major's boots, were in Arnold's hand-writing, and contained 
exact returns of the state of the forces, ordnances and defences 
at West Point and its dependences, with the artillery orders, critr 
ical remarks, on the works, an estimate of the number of men that 
were ordinarily on duty to man them, and the copy of a state of 
matters that had, been laid before a council of war by the com- 
mander in chief. These papers were enclosed in a packet to. Gen, 
Washington, accompanied witha letter from the prisoner, avowing 
himself to be Major Andre, adjutant-general to the British army, 
relating the manner of his capture, and endeavouring to show, that 
iiC did not come under the description of a spy. These papers 
were forwarded by Jameson. 

No sooner had Arnold received the major's letter, than he hast- 
ened^n board the Vulture^ which hay some miles below Stoney 



IJORTH AMERICA. 2S3 

and Vetplank's Points ; and Arnold had not been long gone, when 
Washington arrived at his quarters. Had the plot succeeded, the 
consequences must have been ruinous to the ilmericans. The 
forces under Arnold's command must have either laid down their 
arms, or have been cut to pieces. Their loss, and the immediate 
possession of West Point, and all its neighbouring dependences, 
must have exposed the remainder of Washington's army so to the 
joint exertion of the British forces, by land and water, that nothing- 
but ruin could have been the result with respect to the Americans. 

On the 29th of September, Gen. Washington appointed a board 
of fourteen general officers, with the assistance of the judge-ad- 
vocate general, to examine Major Andre's case, and to determin 
in what light it- ought to be considered. Andre disdaining all sub- 
terfuge and evasion, and studying only to place his character in so 
fair a light, as might prevent its being shaded by present circum- 
stances, voluntarily confessed more than he was asked, and sought 
not to palliate any thing relating to himself, while he concealed, 
with the most guarded and scrupulous nicety, whatever might in- 
volve others. The board shewed him every possible mark of in- 
dulgence, and sufficiently witnessed how much they felt for his sW 
tuation. However, public justice obliged them to declare, "that 
Major Andre ought to be considered as a spy from the enemy ; and 
that agreeable to the law and usage of nations, it is their opinion 
he ought to suffer death,'* 

Several letters passed between the Generals Clinton and Wash- 
ington relative to this unhappy affair ; but nothing was capable of 
.saving the unfortunate major. On the 2d of October, the trage= 
dy was closed. The major was superior to the terrors of death ; 
but the disgraceful mode of dying, which the usage of war had an- 
nexed to his unhappy situation, was infinitely dreadful to him. 
He was desirous of being indulged with a professional death, and 
had accordingly written, the day before, apathetic letter, fraught 
with all the feelings of a man of sentiment and honour, in which he; 
requested of Gen. Washington, that he might not die on a gibbet. 
The general consulted his oiRcers on the subject. Pity and es- 
teem wrought so powerfully, that they were all for- shooting him, 
till Greene insisted on it, that his crime was that of a common spy ; 
that the public good required his being hanged ; and that, were 
he shot, the generality would think there were favourable circum- 
stances entitling him to notice and lenity. His observations con- 
vinced them, that there would be an impropriety in granting the 
major's request, while tenderness prevented its being divulged. 

When Major Andre was led out to the place of execution, as 
he went along he bowed himself familiarly to all those with whom 
he had been acquainted in his confinement. A smile jof complac- 
ency expressed the serene fortitude of his mind. Upon seeing the 
preparations at the fatal spot, he asked with some emotion, " Must 
I die in this manner ?" He was told it was unavoidable. He re- 
plied, " I am reconciled to my fate, but not to the mode." Soon 
after, recollecting himself,. h§ added, " It will b^ but a momenta* 



23^4 THE HISTORY OF , 

ry paMg ;" and spi ing-ing- upon the cart, he performed the last of- 
fices to himself, with a composure that excited the admu-ation, and 
melted the hearts of all the spectators. Being- told the final mo- 
ment was at hand, and asked if he had any thing" to sa)', he an- 
swered, *' Nothing- but to request you will witness to the world, 
that I die like a brave man." He died universally esteemed and 
regretted. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECORDED I?7 THIS CHAPTER. 

1778 The British operations against Georgia. 

The affairs of the United States in a deplorable condition. 
Gen. Ijincoln sent to South Carolina. 

1779 Gvn. Ashe surprised and defeated. 
Sir Henry Clinton takes Storiey Point. 

Count d'JSstaing sails Jro^n the West Indies for the American 

coasts. 
The French and Americans repulsed at- Savannah. 
Washingto7i^ s ar77iy in distress for laant of bread. 
Charleston taken by the British forces^ 

1780 Tarleton defoato Col Bufora. 

A French jieet ixHth troops arrive at Neviport. 
Treaty signed betiijeen Holland and A.'inerica. 
Marl CormoalUs defoats Gen. Gates. 
Jl^ajor Andre taken and executed as a spy, . 
Gen. Arnold makes, his escape on board the- Vulture British 
doop of war. 



CHAP, ix: 



Sir Henty Clintonj onthe 15th of October, 1780, in obeulnce 
to the orders sent him, to prosecute the war with vig-our in North 
Carolina and Virginia,' dispatched Gen. Leslie from New York 
to the bay of Chesapeake, with near 3000 choice troops. He was 
to co-operate with Lord Cornwallis, who was expected to be far 
advanced towards, if not to have reached Virginia In a few 
da3's, the fleet arrived in the bay, and the troops were landed in 
different parts of Virginia. 

On the 20th of June, the French and Spanish fleets formed a 
junction in the West Indies. They amounted to 36 sail of the line, 
which, vi^ith their united land forces, formed such an apparent su- 
periority, as nothing in those seas or islands seemed capable of re- 
sisting ; but the Spanish troops, being too much crowded on board 
their transports, tagether with the length of the voyage, the change 
of climate and diet, and other circumstances, a most mortal and 
cont^geous disorder was generated, which fii*st infected their awn 



NORTH AMERICA. 28rS 

seamen, and at length spread, though not with so fatal an effect 
through the French fleet and land forces. Besides the great mor- 
tality on their passage, the Spaniards landed 1200 sick on their 
first arrival at Dominique, and a much greater number afterwards 
at Guadaloupe and Martinico. Thus the spirit of enterprize was 
damped, and some part of their strength diminished. 

In the month of September, Mr. Laurens was taken on his way 
from congress to Holland, on the banks of Newfoundland. A 
packet of papers being thrown over board, and not sinking sud- 
denly, was saved by the boldness and dexterity of an English sai- 
Ibr, and most of -.hem were recovered from the effects of the wa- 
ter. On his arrival in England, he was committed, upon a charge 
of high treason, as a state prisoner to the Tower, under an order 
signed by the three secretaries of sta^e. By the medium of his 
papers, administration came to the knowledge of the eventual 
treaty of amity and commerce betsveen America and Holland. 

In consequence of this discovery, strong remonstrances werfr 
made to the States General ; but, as no satisfactory answer was 
returned, Sir Joseph Yorke received orders to withdraw from the 
Hague ; and, on the 20th of December, general reprisals were is- 
sued against the ships, goods, and subjects, of the States Gene- 
ral. 

On the 12th of January, 1781, Gen. Greene's troops consisted 
of about 1110. The next day. Col. Lee's partizan legion arrived 
from the northward, consisting of about 100 horsemen, well mount- 
ed, and 120 infantry ; and on the 13th the legion was detached on 
a secret expedition. They pushed on for Georgetown, where they 
surprised several officers, and took them prisoners. Major Irwin, 
and many more of the garrison, were killed ; but the principal part 
fled to the fort, which Lee was not in a condition to besiege. While 
this enterprize was carrying on, the enemy aimed a blow at Mor°- 
gan, who was advised by Greene not to risque too much* 

Gen. Leslie, in compliance with his orders, left Vii'ginia, and 
arrived at Charleston, and joined Lord Cornwallis, who wished to 
drive Gen. Morgan from his station, and to deter the inhabitants 
from joining him. The execution of this business was entrusted 
to Lieut. Col. Tarlton, who was detached with about 1100 men 
for that purpose. On the Ifth of January, Tarlton came up with 
Morgan, when an action commenced, which, terminated much to 
the disadvantage of Tarlton. 

Tarlton was very much cepsured for his condact In this battle, 
which he was^ supposed to haive lost by his un-officer like impetu- 
osity. Lord Cornwallis, with the expectations of regaining the 
prisoners, and demolishing Morgan's corps, instantly concluded on 
a pursuit, which Morgan was aware of, and took his measures; ac= 
cordingly. 

On the 31st of January, Greene succeeded Morgan in the com» 
maud of the southern army,, when a kind of military race com- 
menced between the pursuing British and the fleeing Americans.3 
but Greene got off before Cornwallis could overtake hira. 



285 THE HISTORY OF , 

i' 

Lord Cornwallis, being afterwards convinced, from Greene V 
movementSj that he intended to venture an engagement, on ther 
14th of May sent off" his baggage under a proper escort, and the 
next morning at day break, marched with the remainder of his 
army, amounting to about 2400 men, chiefly troops grown veterans 
in victory, either to meet Greene on the way, or attack him in his 
encampment. 

The battle took place near Guildfoi-d court-house ; and, after a 
hard struggle for near two hours, the Americans retreated in 
good order to the Reedy Fork, and crossed the river, about three 
miles from the field of action. Greene lost his artillery, and two 
ammunition waggons, the greatest part of the horses btiing killed, 
before the retreat began. 

In the month of February, reprisals having been commenced 
against the Dutch, Rodney and Vaughan received instructions 
from Great Britain, to dinect their views to the reduction of the- 
Dutch Island of St. Eustatia, The British fleet and army, instant- 
ly appeared there, and surrounded it with a great force, Rodney 
and Vaughan sent a peremptory summons to the governor, to sur- 
render the island and its dependences within an hour, accompa- 
nied with a threat, that if any resistance was made, he must abide 
the consequences. -Mons.de Graaff, totally ignorant of the rup- 
ture between Great Britain and Holland, could scarcely believe 
the officer, who delivered the summons, to be serious. He return- 
ed for answer, that being utterly incapable of making any de- 
fence, he must of necessity surrender, only recommending the 
town and inhabitants to the clemency of the British commanders; 
The wealth of the place excited the astonishment of the conquer- 
ers, the whole island seeming to be one great magazine. All the 
storehouses were filled with various commodities, and the very 
beach vvas covered with hogsheads of sugar and tobacco. The val- 
ue was estimated considerably above three millions sterling. But 
this was only a part ; for above 150 vessels of all denominations^ 
mar.y of them richly laden were captured in the bay, exclusive of a 
Dutch frigate of 38 guns, and five smaller. The neighbouring 
small isles of St. Martin and Saba were reduced in the same 
manner. 

Rodney being informed, that a fleet of about 30 large ships, all 
richly laden, with sugar and other AVest India commodities, had 
aailedfrom Eustatia for Holland just before his arrival, under con- 
voy of a flag ship of 60 guns, he dispatched the Monarch and Pan- 
ther, with the Sybil frigate, in pursuit of them. These soon over- 
too"k the convoy, when the Dutch admiral refusing to strike his 
colours, and all remonstrances proving ineffectual, a short engage- 
ment took place between his ship, the Mars and the Monarch. He 
died bravely in defence of his ship, when she instantly struk, and 
the whole convoy was taken. 

The keeping of Dutch colours flying at Eustatia, rendered it 
for some time a decoy to French, Dutchj and American vessels, a 



NORTH AMERICA. ^87 

considerable number of which fell accordingly into the hands of 
the conquerors without trouble. 

Preparations began to be made, on the 21st of June, for the army 
under Gen. Washington to take the field. The Americans march- 
ed towards White Plains, where they were joined by the French 
troops under Rochambeau. 

Sir George Rodney, in consequence of information concerning 
the French fleet under the Count de Grasse, detached the Admi- 
rals Sir Samuel Hood and Drake, with seventeen sail of the line, 
to cruise off Fort Royal for the purpose of intercepting him. On 
the 28th of April, some of Sir Samuel'?, neadmost ships returned 
hastily in sight, and with signals announced the appearance of a 
superior fleet, and a numerous convoy, to the windward of Point 
Salines. The admiral made a signal for a general chase to wind- 
ward, and at night it was determined by the admirals to continue 
the line a-head so that getting as much as possible to windM'ard, 
Ihey might close in with Fort Royal at day-light, and cut off the 
enemy from the harbour. 

In the morning the French appeared, their convoy keeping close 
in with the land, while Count de Grasse drew up his fleet in a 
line of battle for their protection. Admiral Hood used every ma- 
noeuvre to bring him to action ; but he being to windward, and so 
having the choice, preferred a long shot distance. A partial en- 
gagement ensued. The van and the i^iearest ships, in the centre 
of the British, were exposed to a long and heavy weight of fire, 
in their struggles to close the French, and get to the windward ; 
but suffered principally in their masts, hulls, and rigging. The 
action lasted about three hours, when Admiral Hood perceiving, 
that not on> shot in ten of the French reached, and that his at- 
tempts to gain the wind were fruitless, ceased firing, and the Brit= 
ish fleet bore away for Antigua. 

Let us now return to the .transactions under Lord Cornwallls.- 
One great object of the British force was the establishment of a 
strong post and place of arms, and such as might render them 
perfectly masters of Chesapeake-bay, and therefore they repaired 
to York Town and Gloucester, 

The French and American armies continued their march from 
the northward, till they arrived at the head of Elk ; gnd within 
an hour after, they received an express from Count de Grasse, 
with the joyful account of his arrival and situation By the 15th of 
September, all the troops were arrived and landed at Williams - 
burgh, and. preparations were made with all possible dispatch for 
■piitting the army in a situation to mo%'e down towards York 
Town. 

On the 30th of September, Lord Cornwallis wr.s cksely invest ■> 
ed in York Town. The trenches were opened by the combined 
armies on the 6th of October, at 600 yards distance from Corn^ 
wallis's works On the 9th they opened their batteries, and cor- 
tinned firing all night without intermission The next morning 
the French opened their batteries on the left, and a tremeiidcits 



^88 ^ THE HISTORY OF 

roar of cunnon and mortars was continued for six or eight houre 
without ceasing. 

The French and Americans continued to carr}' on the siege with 
great success. On the l6th their several batteries were covered 
with near 100 pieces of heavy ordnance ; while the British works 
were so destroyed, that they could scarcely show a single gun. 
Thus v/as I.ord Cornwallis reduced to the necessity of preparing 
for a surren der, or of attempting an escape. He determined upon 
the latter. Boats were prepared under different pretences, for 
the reception of the troops by ten at night, in order to pass them 
over to Gloucester Point. The arrangements were made with 
the utmost secrecy. The intention was to abandon the baggage, 
and to leave a detachment behind to capitulate for the town's peo- 
pie, and for the sick and wounded, his lordship having already 
prepared a letter on the subject, to be delivered to Gen. Wash- 
ington after his departure. The first embaikation had arrived 
at' Gloucester Point, and the greater part of the troops v.^ere al- 
ready landed, when the weather, which was before moderate and 
calm, instantly changed to a most violent storm ©f wind and ram. 
The boats with the remaining troops were all driven down the river, 
^nd the design of passing over was not only entirely frustrated, 
but the absence of the boats rendered it impossible to bring back 
the troops from Gloucester. Thus weakened and divi^d, the ar- 
my was in no small danger. However, the boc^ts returned, and 
the troops were brought back in the course of the forenoon with 
very little loss. , 

Things were now hastening to a period, wnich could be no long= 
er prott-acted ; for the Bri\ish works were sinking under the 
weight of the Preiich and American artillery. All hopes of relief 
.ii-om New York were over, and the strength and spirits of the roy- 
al army were broken down and exhausted by their constant and 
un'-emitting fatigue. Matters being in this situation, on the irth 
of October, Lord Cornwallis sent ©ut a flag with a letter to Gem 
Washington, requesting a cessation of arms for twenty -four hours, 
and that commissioners might be appointed for digestmg the term^ 
of capitulation. Commissioners were accordmgly appomted ; and 
on the side of the allies, were Vise, de Noailles, and Lieut. CoL 
Laurens, whose father was in close confinement in the Tower of 
London, while the son was drawing up articles, by which an Eng* 
lish nobleman and a British army became prisoners. 

On tlie 19th of October, the posts of York town and Gloucester 
were surrendered. 'The honour of marcliing out witli colours fly» 
ino- which had been denied to Gen. Lincoln, was now refused to 
^Lord Gornwallis, and Lincoln was appointed to receive the suo- 
mission of the roval armv at York town, precisely in the same way 
his own had been conducted about eighteen months betore. Ihe 
troops that surrendered prisoner exceeded 7000 ; but so 
great was the number of sick and wounded, that there were only 
3800 capable of doing d-oty. The officers and soldiers retainea 
dieli-^i^aggage and effects. Fifteen l^undred seamen sharea the 



NORTH AMERICA. 289 

same fate as the garrison. The Guadaloupe frigate of 24 guns, 
and a number of transports, were surrendered to tlie conquerors. 
About twenty transports had been sunk or burnt during the siege. 
The land forces became prisoners to congress ; but the seamen and 
ships were assig-ned to the French admiral. The Americans ob- 
tained a fine train of artillery, consisting of 7S brass ordnance, 
and 69 iron cannon, howitzers, and mortars. 

On the 24th of October, a fleet destined for the relief of Lord 
Cornwallis arrived off the Chesapeake ; but, on receiving the news 
of his surrender, they returned to New York. The fleet consist- 
ed of 25 ships of the line, two fifties, and eight frigates. When 
they appeared oflfthe Chesapeake, the French made no manner of 
movement, though they had 36 ships of the line, being perhaps 
satisfied with their present success. Every argum&nt and persua- 
sion was used with the Count de Grasse to induce him to aid the 
combined army in an operation against Charleston ; but the advanc- 
ed season, the orders of his court, and his own engagements to be 
punctual to a certain time fixed for his future operations, prevent- 
ed his compliance. His instructions had fixed his departure to the 
15th of October, and he had already exceeded that time. On the 
27th, the troops under the Marquis St. Simon began to embark for 
the West Indies, and about the 5th of November, de Grasse sailed 
from the Chesapeake. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS RECOUDEB IN THIS CHAPTER. 

3780 Sir Henry Clinton sends 3000 troops to tJie bay of Ches' 
apeake. 
The French and Spanish Jleet form a conjunction in the West 
Indies. 

.Mr. Laurens taken in his passage to Holland, 

Sir jfoseph Yorke leaves the Hague. 
1781 Lieut. Col. Tarleton detached after Gsn. Morgan By <vjhoin 
he is defeated. 

Sir George Rodney and Gen. Vaughan take St. JEustatia, St. 
JUartin, and Saba. 

The French troops join the Americans under Washington. 

Sir Samuel Hood and Cou7it de Grasse engage. 

iLord Cornvtallis vf pairs to Tork to'icn and Gloucester. 

Is obliged to capitulate, and surrender Tork toivn and Glou- 
cester. 

Me Grasse sails for tJie West Indies. 



CkAP. K. 

Un the 27th of NovembeiS the King of Efigland went to the 
house of peers? and opened the eessions ©f ^ariiament. Warm 
A «. 



390 THE HISTORY OF 

debates took place, on account of the ruinous manner in which the 
American war was continued ; but Lord North and his party, who 
thought they had not yet carried thing-s far enoug-h, maintained a 
considerable majority in the house of commons Mr. Burke" had 
made several motions, relative to the release of Mr. I^aurens from 
the Tower. However, at length, Mr Laurens was brought before 
Lord Mansfield, on the' last day of the yeai^, in consequence of an 
order from the secretary of state, and was discharged upon cer- 
tain conditions. 

. The naval force of France and Spain in the West Indies, in the 
month of February, 1782, amounted to 60 ships of the line, and 
their land forces Avhen joined would have formed a considerable ar- 
my. Jamaica had no more than six incomplete battalions of regu- 
lar troops and the militia of the island to defend it ; and therefore, 
in case of an attack, must have been soon conquered. The arriv- 
al of Sir George Rodney with twelve sail of the line at Barbadoes, 
and his subsequent junction with Sir Samuel Hood's squadron, to- 
gether with the arrival of three ships of the line from England a 
few days afierwards, perhaps providentially saved Jamaica from 
falling into the hands of the enemy. The English fleet at St. Lu- 
cia amounted to 36 ships of the line, and the force under de Grasse 
at Martinico to 34. The metal of the French is always heavier 
than than that of the English in equal rates, so that in this point 
the French had the advantage. 

The van of the British fleet was commanded by Sir Samuel 
Kood, the centre by Sir George Rodney, and the rear by Admiral 
Sir Francis Drake. The three divisions of the French fleet were 
under Count de Grasse, Mons. de Vaudreuil, and Mons, de Bo- 
gain ville. 

On the 8th of April, the French Heet began to turn out of Fort 
Royal harbour early in the morning, with a great convoy under 
their protection, all bound to the French or Spanish ports in His- 
paniola. De Grasse,.in order to avoid any encounter on his passage, 
meant to keep close in under the islands, till he had eluded the 
pursuit of the English. However, their departure from the bay 
was so speedily communicated by signals from the frigates, and 
the English fleet was in such excellent preparation, that all the 
ships were clear of Gross Islet Bay by noon, and pursued with the 
utmost expedition ; so that the French saved only a few hours, by 
being masters of the time of departure. The English gained sight 
of them under Dominique at night, and afterwards regulated the 
pursuit by signals. 

Early the next morning, Count de Grasse formed the line of bat. 
tie, and thereby afforded an opportunity to his convoy for proceed- 
ing on their course, while he remained to abide the consequences. 
The van of the English fleet flrst closed with the French centre, 
while the English centre and rear were becalmed. The action com- 
menced about nine o'clock on the ninth. Tlse Barfleur, Sir Sam- 
uel's own ship, had at times seven and generally three ships firing 
Upon her, and none of the division escaped encountering a dispro- 



MORTH AMERICA. 291 

portiGitate force. The firm and effectual resistance, with which 
they supported all the efforts of the enemy's superiority, was to 
the highest deg-ree glorious. At length, the leading ships of tlie 
centre were enabled to come up to their assistance. These were 
soon followed by Sir George Rodney in the Formidable, with his 
seconds, the Namur and the Duke, all of 90 guns : they made and 
supported a most tremendous fire. De Grasse now changed the 
nature of the action, and kept at such a distance during the re- 
mainder of the engagement, as might prevent any thing decisive 
happening. The rest of the English fleet coming up, de Grasse 
withdrew his ships from the action, and evaded all the efforts of 
the English commanders for its renewal. I'wo of the French 
ships were so damaged, that they were obliged to quit the fleet, 
and put into Guadaloupe. On tlie side of the Engllsli, the Royal 
Oak and the Montague suft^ered extremely ; but they were capable 
of being repaired at sea, so as not to be under the necessity of 
quitting the fleet. 

On the 11th the French fleet weathered Guadaloupe, and gained 
such a distance, that the body of their fleet could only be descried 
from the mast-heads of the British centre, and all hopes of Sir 
George Rodney's coming up with them seemed to be at an end. 
In this critical situation, one of the French ships, which had suf- 
fered in the action, was perceived., about noon, to fall oflT consid- 
erably from the the rest of the fleet to leeward. This produced 
signals from the English admiral for a general chase, which was 
so vigorous, that the Agamemnon, and some others oi the head- 
most of the English line, were coming up so fast with this ship, that 
she would assuredly have been cut off before evening, had not her 
signals and eminent danger induced de Grasse to bear down with 
his whole fleet to her assistance. This movement put it out of the 
power of the French to avoid fightings. The pursuing English fell 
back into their station, and a close line v/as formed. The French 
also prepared for battle with the greatest resolution, and the night 
passed in preparations on botii sides. 

About seven o'clock in the morning of the 12th of April, the bat- 
tle commenced, and was continued with unremitting fury until near 
the same hour in the evening. As the English came up, they rang- 
ed slowly along the French line, and close under their lee. Being 
so near, every shot took effect, and the French ships being so full 
of men, the carnage in them was prodigious. The Formidable, Ad- 
miral Rodney's ship, fired neap eighty broadsides, and it may be 
supposed the rest were not idle. The French stood and returned 
this dreadful fire with the utmost firmness, each side fighting, as 
if the honour and fate of their country were that day to be decided. 

Sir George Rodney in the Formidable, with his seconds the Na- 
mur aad the Duke, and immediately supported by the Canada, be- 
tweea twelve and one o'clock, bore directly and with full sail 
athwart the French line, and successfully broke through, about 
three ships short of the centre, where Count de Grasse command- 
ed in the Vilie de Paris of 110 guns. Beiijg followed and support^ 



292 THE HISTORY OF 

ed by the remainder of his division, and wearing* round close upon 
the enemy, he effectually separated their line. This bold adven- 
ture proved decisive. The battle lasted till sun set, for the French 
foug^ht with the greatest bravery. 

The British Seat having- now gained the wind of the French, 
their g-eneral confusion was completed. Hood's division had been 
long becalmed and kept out of action ; biit his head ships and 
part of his centre, as far at least as the Barfieur, which he himself 
commanded, came up at this juncture, and contributed to render 
the victory more decisive. The Caesar, Glorieux, and Hector, 
soon struck their colours, but not till after they had made the most 
noble defence. 

Count de Grasse was nobly supported, even after the line was 
broken ; and the Diadem, a French 74, went down by a single 
broad side, in a generous exertion to save him. The Ville de Paris 
was almost reduced to a wreck, but de Grasse still held out. At 
length. Hood in the Barfieur approached him just at sun-set, and 
poured in a most destructive fire. The Ville de Paris supported 
all these shocks for a quarter of an hour after, when she struck to 
Sir Samuel Hood, It was said, that, at the time she struck, there 
were but three men lefv alive and unhurt on the upper deck, and 
that the Count was one of them. 

The Csisar was unfortunately set on fire, and blew up in the 
night of the action. A lieutenant and fifty English seamen perish-^ 
cd, with about 400 prisoners. The number of the French slain in 
;this engagement, and tliat of the ninth, was computed at 3000, and 
hear double that number wounded. The small superiority of Bric- 
ish ships, in point of number, contributed nothing to the success 
of the day, as more of Hood's division than that difference amount- 
ed to, were prevented coming into action through the want of wind. 
The whole loss of the English, in killed and wounded in the two 
actions, was stated only at 1050, of which 253 were killed on the 
spot. 

In the Ville de Paris were found thirty-six chests of money, 
destined to the pay and subsistence of the troops in the designed 
attack on Jamaica. Sir Samuel Hood being sent in pursuit of the 
scattered enemy, on the 15th he came up and took the Jason and 
Caton, of 64 guns each, and two frigates. 

Thus the French lost eight ships of the line : six were in pos- 
session of the English, one had been sunk, and the Caesar blew up 
after her capture. The English having joined of^'Cape Tiberoon, 
and the French having no force to the windward. Sir George Rod- 
ney proceeded with the disabled ships and jirizes to Jamaica, as 
well for their repair, as the greater security of the island, should 
the combined fleet still venture upon the prosecution of their for- 
mer design. Sir Samuel Hood was left with about 25 ships of the 
line, to keep the sea, and watch the motions of the enemy. 

Let us now return to North America, where all parties seemed 
to be heartily tired of the war. On the 5th of May, Sir Guy Carle- 
ton arrived at New -York, and on the 7th he wrote to Gen. Wash- 



NORTH AMERICA. 293 

mgton, and sent him some public papers, that his excellency 
might learn from them, the disposition that prevailed in the gov- 
ernment and people of Great-Britain, relative to the making- of a 
peace with America. 

The British administration having resolved upon abandoning all 
offensive operations in America, the scheme of evacuating all the 
weakest posts in the United States was adopted. Accordingly, ou 
the 11th of July, Savannah was evacuated, and the Americans im- 
mediately took possession of it, the works and town being left 
perfect. 

On the 14th of December, Gen. I^eslle, who commanded at 
Charleston, completed the embarkation of kis troops on his quit-^ 
ting that town. Gen. Wayne, with the legion and light infantry, 
had been before their works for several days, by order of Gen. 
Greene. It was hinted to him from Gen Leslie, through a certain 
medium, that if they were permitted to embark without interrup- 
tion, every care should be taken for the preservation of the town, 
Wayne was directed to accede to the proposal, the British also 
agreeing not to fire on the town after getting- on board. The con- 
ditions being fully understood by both parties, Charleston was 
evacuated and possessed witho'it the least confusion, the American 
advance following close on the British rear; The governor was 
conducted into his capital the same day, the civil police establish- 
ed the day following, and on the third the town was opened for 
business. On the 17th,' the British crossed the bar, and went 
to sea. 

Every thing now seemed to announce the approach of peace. 
The American commissioners expedited the negocia.tion with the 
utmost assiduity, and on the 30th of November, provisional arti- 
cles were agreed upon and signed, to take effect whenever terms 
of peace should be finally settled with the court of France. The 
business was finished so privately and unexpectedly that the min- 
isters and ambassadors, as well as others in and ivboutthe court of 
Versailles, were surprised upon hearing the news. 

We must not here avoid mentioning an unfortunate event, whicli 
happened at the close of the still more unfortunate American war. 
Ten men of war, including Count de Grasse's ships, with a large 
fleet of merchantmen from Jamaica, suffered exceedingly by a 
tremendous gale of wind off Newfoundland, on the 17th of Sep- 
tember. The Ville de Paris and the Glorieux foundered, and only 
one man out of the complement of both ships esca'ped to tell the 
melancholy tale. The Hector also sunk ; but being descried in 
time by a snow that made towards them, the crew were saved. 
The Ramilies went down, but her people were saved by the mer- 
chantmen in company. The Centaur was likewise lost, and all her 
company, except twelve, with the captain, who got into the only 
remaining 1)oat. They traversed a space of near 800 miles in the 
Atlantic ocean, without compass or quadrant, and with a blanket 
for a sail. They had only two biscuits divided among them every 
twenty-four hours ; and as much water during that space to eyefy 

A A 2 



294 THE HISTORY OF 

man, as the neck of a wine bottle broken ofF would hold. At the 
expiration of sixteen daya, when the V?iSt division of biscuit and 
"vvatep had been made, to their inexpressible joy, they discovered 
the Portuguese island of Fayal, vvhere they safely arrived at night, 
and received every assistance their melancholy situation demanded. 

On the 3d of September, 1783, the definitive treaties betw^een 
Great-Britain, France, and Spain, were signed at Versailles by the 
Duke of Manchester, and the plenipotentiaries of the said Court. 
On the sanae day, the definitive treaty with Great-Britain and the 
United States of America was also signed at Paris, by David 
Hartley, Esq. the British plenipotentiary, and the plenipotentiaries 
of the said state. 

By the articles of this treaty, his Britannic majesty acknowledg- 
ed the independence of the United States of New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, 
Connecticut, New- York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. He also relin. 
quished all claims to the government of them, and consented to 
treat with them as free and ir-dependent people. Their boundariea 
were also settled, and they were allov/ed the liberty of fishing and 
drying* fish, as usual, on the banks of Newfoundland. 

The particulars of the treaty between Great-Britain, France, 
and Spain will be found in our History of England, to which it more 
properly belongs. 

Thus ended the unhappy American way, which added to th© 
national debt of the mother country one hundred and twenty mil- 
lions, besides the loss of many thousands of our bravest officers, 
soldiers, and seamen, to the eteriial infamy and disgrace of those 
ministers, who advised and carried it on, contrary to the general 
voice of the people ! 

M2M0BA&I.E EVENTS R6C0RDEt> IN THIS CHAPTER. 

1781 Mr. Laurens discharged from his confinement in the Tmver 

of London. 

1782 The fleets of Sir George JRodney and Count de GraiSilnieet in. 

the West-Indies. 
They engage^ and Count de Grasse is defeated and taken. 
Savannah evacuated by the British forces. 
And (fter-xvards Charleston in South Carolina. 
J^rovisional articles of peace signed betvieen the British and, 

American commissioners. 

1783 The definitive treaties signed betiveen Great-Bfitaitt, Franiey 

Spain, and Ameriica. 



H^l^ 01? THE HISTOKY 0? HORTB AMSRlCil- 



JOSEPH AVERY 

Has constantly for sale at his Bookstore^ in Plymouth^ 
an extensive assortment of Books in the various bran* 
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Marshall on Insurance, 8vOo 
Abbot on Shipping 
Freeman^s Justice's Assistant 

— — Town Officer 

«_ — American Clerk's Mag-aziiie 

. ■ Probate Laws and Directory 

Kyd on Bills of Exchange 

Espinasse's Digest of the Laws of Nisi Pri'is, 2 vols. 8vo. 
Blackstone'g Commentaries on the Laws of England, 4-vols. i2mo. 
Monte squieu^s Spirit of Laws, 2 vols. &vo 
Jones •n Bailment 
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Bell on the Management of Ulcers 

Brown's Element's of Medicine, revised by T. Beddoes 
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Struve on Suspended animation 
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Andirews' Examination of Uniyersali&m 



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Dictionary of the Bible 

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Beauties, selected from his writings 

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Process and Empire of Christ, a poem 

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